By the end of the course, students will be able to:
− Adopt a systemic and holistic vision of the interactions between technology and sustainability.
− Understand technological opportunities to support sustainable development.
− Develop a sustainability-oriented approach to technological development.
− Assess the impacts, risks, and opportunities related to the interdependencies between technology and sustainability.
The course will address the following main objectives:
− To apprehend the systemic nature of sustainable development
− To understand how technologies can integrate sustainable development (technology for sustainability).
− To analyze the opportunities and challenges that technological innovations generate in relation to sustainability (sustainability for technology).
− To critically assess technological development in light of sustainability requirements.
The course analyzes the dual relationship between technology and sustainability. It begins with an introduction to the concepts and their interaction, followed by systems thinking as an analytical framework. Subsequent sessions explore transformation levers for sustainability as well as low-tech approaches as alternatives. The program then adopts a dual perspective: on the one hand, technologies developed in response to sustainability challenges (technology for sustainability); on the other hand, sustainability requirements that shape technological choices (sustainability for technology). The course concludes with a synthesis and integrative reflection session.
The course consists of eight sessions that explore the interactions between technology and sustainability:
Session 1: Introduction (2h)
Session 2: Systems Thinking (2h)
Session 3: Practical Workshop (3h)
Session 4: Leveraging Sustainability (2h)
Session 5: Low-Tech Approaches (3h – MOOC)
Session 6: Technology for Sustainability (3h)
Session 7: Sustainability for Technology (3h)
Session 8: Conclusion and Perspectives (2h)
The course takes place mainly in person, with one asynchronous online session (MOOC).
Each session includes examples and practical exercises. The learning approach combines conceptual presentations, case studies, and an interactive workshop to enable students to apply and deepen the concepts studied.
The course combines theoretical inputs and practical activities, delivered both in person and asynchronously online (MOOC). Frameworks and tools are illustrated through concrete examples, case studies, and interactive workshops.
The evaluation is based on two complementary components:
Written exam (85%) – The exam combines multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions.
Group activity report (15%) – In small teams, students prepare a written report that synthesizes, documents, and analyzes selected parts of the course. The report should be between 5 and 10 pages in length. Further details will be provided during the introductory session.
Mandatory requirement: Students must obtain at least 10/20 in the individual exam to pass the course. If the exam is failed, the group report will not be considered and the final grade will be equal to the exam grade.
Second session: The second session is based exclusively on the written exam.
The content of the course is based on scientific articles which references will be communicated during each course as well as on the following books:
− Ehrenfeld, J. (2008). Sustainability by design: A subversive strategy for transforming our consumer culture. Yale University Press.
− Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in systems. Chelsea Green Publishing.
− Jackson, T. (2009). Prosperity without growth: Economics for a finite planet. Routledge.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Business Engineering, Professional focus in Sustainable & Digital Management | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Business Engineering, Professional focus in Sustainable & Digital Management | Standard | 1 | 3 |