Why learn about sustainability?
Sustainability is a critical global issue that affects everyone. There is an increasing recognition of the need to learn sustainability across all levels of education. Moreover, there’s a call to reimagine education, breaking away from learning unsustainable ways of being and doing.
Universities play a significant role in shaping the future through education, research, and innovation. As such, they have a responsibility to promote sustainability to help create a more sustainable future. “Universities can take an active role as centres for both inquiry and action in local, regional, and global spaces” (Gruenewald, 2003; in Sipos et al., 2008).
Many future jobs will be sustainability jobs, and we need to prepare students for that. A report by Eco Canada (2021) shows that in 2019, “environmental workers were present in every Canadian region, industry and practically every occupation.” This Updated Labour Market Outlook to 2025 predicts “about 37% of net hiring requirements (108K jobs) will be for core environmental workers—or those in roles that require environmental competencies” (Eco Canada, 2021, p. 7).
Sustainability is a multidisciplinary topic that can be integrated into various fields of study, including business, engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, fine arts and beyond. Whether it is circular economy practices reducing waste, renewable energy innovation for sustainable power solutions, community-based conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity, or ethical sourcing and fair labour practices in clothing production, the principles of sustainability infuse diverse sectors, influencing practices and fostering innovation.
Universities play a crucial role in shaping students into responsible and globally aware citizens who can tackle sustainability challenges both personally and professionally. At Concordia, this objective is central to our vision of becoming a next-generation university: sustainability is one of our nine strategic directions. This imperative is also interwoven throughout the fabric of the other eight directions.
Sustainability permeates every aspect of campus life. Concordia is committed to transforming into a net-zero carbon campus by 2040. We are also strongly dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as endorsed by Concordia’s President. Notably, we are the first Canadian university to voluntarily assess our performance on each SDG.
All our efforts are integrated: the university’s Sustainability Action Plan, launched in 2020, outlines a comprehensive road map for integrating sustainability on five fronts: food, waste, climate, research, and curriculum. One of the first steps leading to the plan was to craft a Concordia definition of sustainability: “a mindset and a process that leads to reducing our ecological footprint and enhancing social well-being while maintaining economic viability both on and off campus.”
Concordia leads in sustainability research. For example, our Volt-Age program, supported by a significant $123 million investment, pioneers electrification research. Additionally, our Next-Generation Cities Institute fosters collaboration across disciplines to drive sustainable urban development. In recognition of our efforts, Concordia was honoured with the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Cities and Communities.
In addition to its focus on sustainability research, Concordia equally emphasizes education for sustainability. Several educational initiatives and offerings support sustainability objectives. The transdisciplinary Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability exemplifies our commitment to interdisciplinary education, while partnerships with organizations like Future Earth and the UN enhance our global impact, notably co-leading the Sustainability in the Digital Age (SDA) initiative. Our Leadership in Environmental and Digital Innovation for Sustainability (LEADS) program empowers students to influence climate policies through unique skill development opportunities. Furthermore, initiatives like Canada’s first sustainable investing practicum at the John Molson School of Business equip students with the tools to integrate sustainability into financial decision-making.
Concordia University offers a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional certificate programs focused on sustainability, complemented by numerous course options for those interested in delving deeper into the subject. Faculty efforts in teaching sustainability are documented in a comprehensive report (2024), and Concordia has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme to offer an interdisciplinary Massive Open Online Course titled “Wicked Problems, Dynamic Solutions: The Ecosystem Approach and Systems Thinking” to a broad audience.
Our commitment to sustainability is driven not only by institutional goals but also by student demand, with an overwhelming 89% of undergraduates expressing support for sustainability in their curricula (CSU, 2021). By embedding sustainability across disciplines, Concordia ensures that all students graduate with the knowledge and skills to address pressing environmental and social challenges.
