Sustainable development in education

The Policy for Sustainable Development is the basis for the University’s work on environmental issues and sustainability. The policy states the University’s ambition to be a driving force for sustainable development and to set the course for our approach to sustainability in general. In the field of education, the policy specifies that all students are to acquire subject-relevant knowledge of sustainable development through their education and training, which they can take with them into working life.

Read more about the Policy for Sustainable Development – sustainability.lu.se
 

Visions for education and student participation:

• All students acquire knowledge and understanding of sustainable development and how their programmes relate to this, and thereby contribute expertise in their future roles in society.
• Continuing professional development within sustainable development is provided for all employees at Lund University.

• The University supports student initiatives in sustainable development and there are opportunities for students to participate in efforts to achieve the goals of the strategy.

  Read more about Visions for sustainable development – sustainability.lu.se
   

The Sustainability Plan includes six goals that focus on education for sustainability, with seven associated activities. The goals and activities cover first, second and third-cycle education. The Sustainability Plan was revised in 2022 (the first version had three objectives focusing on education) and was revised again in 2024. A decision on the revised plan for 2025-2026 will be made during spring semester 2025.

Sustainability Plan Lund University 2020-2026, revised 2023 (PDF 3,8 MB, new tab)

Lund University has adopted a policy for quality assurance and quality development of education with eleven criteria focused on education, one of which focuses on sustainable development specifically: Subject-relevant perspectives regarding sustainable development are to be promoted in education. This is followed up annually.

Policy for quality assurance and quality enhancement of education at Lund University (PDF, 230 kB, new tab, in Swedish)
 

Lund University's courses and study programmes are to meet the needs that emerge as society changes. While education and training programmes must be adaptable and flexible, they must also be sustainable in terms of content, both in terms of applying sustainability perspectives and by building on core subject knowledge and transferable skills. Knowledge, education and training help to provide a firm existential foundation that equips us for social change and transformation and as such, education is a part of existential sustainability. 

During Spring 2025, a new Strategy for Education for 2025-2027 is in progress.

Lund University’s strategy for first and second-cycle education for 2023-2024 (PDF, 306kB, new tab)

The course is available via Canvas. The course is also available as a compendium with self-study material.

• Format/institution responsible: Online course/Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies
• Duration: 10-15 hours
• Access: LU staff, unlimited participants

• To the course compendium (PDF, 1,3 MB, new tab)

This course focuses on teaching for sustainability and pedagogy. The course is organised around project work based on the participants Next opportunity to take the course is autumn 2025. More information about the course can be found on the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) website. 

• Format/institution responsible: Seminars/Faculty of Engineering, Centre for Engineering Education
• Duration: 80 hours, including 12 hours of seminars
• Access: Priority for teachers at the Faculty of Engineering, but open to other faculties subject to availability. Entry requirement: introduction to pedagogy or similar course.

This course focuses on teaching for sustainability and pedagogy. Next opportunity to take the course is spring 2026. Material, including recordings of webinars, from previous iterations of the course are available on Karlstad University's Canvas-page and can be used for self-studies, see for instance Spring 2025-iteration: https://canvas.kau.se/courses/23545 

• Format/institution responsible: Online course/Organised through an international course collaboration with Lund University as partner university
• Duration: 80 hours, of which 40 hours are lectures
• Access: Open to all teaching staff at Lund University.

• To the course

This is a thematic course focused on teaching for sustainability, open to everyone seeking to work on integrating sustainability into their teaching practice. The course was given during autumn semester 2024. New course dates have not yet been decided. 

• Format/institution responsible: seminars/ Division for Higher Education Development (AHU)
• Duration: 40 hours.
• Access: Teaching staff at Lund University. Course fee. Entry requirements: introduction to pedagogy or similar course, or previous teaching experience.

More information about the course can be found here: https://www.ahu.lu.se/en/courses/integrating-sustainability-competencies-in-curriculum/

This is a thematic course open to teaching staff seeking to introduce more inclusive forms of teaching and examination. Next opportunity to take the course is autumn semester 2025, open for applications until 15 May.  

• Format/institution responsible: seminars/the course is a collaboration between the Unit for Educational Services and the Centre for Engineering Education (CEE)
• Duration: 40 hours.

• Access: Teaching staff at Lund University (no entry requirements).

  More information about the course can be found here:https://www.ahu.lu.se/en/courses/inclusive-classroom-offered-by-unit-for-educational-services/

Lund University hosted the U21 Symposium on Education for Sustainable Development on 16-17 February 2022. Recordings of the event are available on the Symposium’s website.

The Universiy offers a range of so called X-courses within, inter alia, sustainability and the environment. The courses are credit-earning and particularly suitable for those already enrolled in a study programme and professionals, because they are short, flexible, and come in a variety of formats - online, hybrid, and on-site. The courses are applied for through the site www.antagning.se. Last day to apply for autumn 2025 is 15 April. Pending available spots, late application might be possible.

A list with all X-courses is published on the University's webpage: X-courses | Lund University

This course gives you basic knowledge about sustainable development and the Agenda 2030, as well as a summary of Lund University's work within the area and information regarding how employees at Lund University can contribute to a more sustainable future. An English version of the course will be soon be launched as well.

• Format/institution responsible: Online/Sustainability Forum
• Duration: Approximately one hour
• Access: Available to all employees at Lund University, access through LUCAT-id

The course is available at the Professional Development Portal (Kompetensportalen). A link to the Portal and more information about opportunities for career and professional development can be found on Staff Pages: Professional and careers development | Staff Pages

Introductory course to sustainability, with no particular focus on education. This course is for everyone who wants to learn more about sustainability, including teaching staff who want to include sustainability in their teaching.

• Format/institution responsible: MOOC/Faculty of Science
• Duration: 19 hours
• Access: Global, unlimited participants

 To the course

This course is suitable for everyone who wants to learn more about sustainability and governance, including teaching staff who want to include sustainability in their teaching. The course is offered during the spring term.

• Format/institution responsible: Online course/Faculty of Social Sciences
• Duration: 12 hours of seminars plus 3-day workshop
• Access: For doctoral students (priority is given to the Development Research School), postdocs and other staff subject to availability.

To the course