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701-0900-00L 2 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS

The Sustainable Development Goals in Context

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Bernhard Wehrli, Dr. Omar Kassab

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:17

Abstract

The United Nations Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an opportunity for the international community to shape the course of sustainable development. With their range of expertise, universities can develop the science to help achieving the SDGs. The lectures center on sustainability challenges and provide context from academics and societal actors.

Objective

1. Students know important dimensions of sustainable development and the discourses in the context of the SDGs 2. Students get an overview how ETH Zurich contributes to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs 3. The lecture series enables students to contribute to sustainable development during their studies and research, as graduates on the job market, and as members of the society 4. Writing and reviewing a short blog post trains students to communicate acquired knowledge effectively for a broader audience.

Content

Kick-Off: Introduction to the SDGs: 1 – Education, gender and inequality 2 – Health, well-being and demography 3 – Climate change, decarbonization and sustainable industry 4 – Sustainable food, land, water and oceans 5 – Sustainable cities and communities 6 – Digital revolution for sustainable development Conclusion: Student inputs: Wrap up and synthesis

Resources

Lecture Notes

1-2 short papers will be posted on the Moodle each weak.

Literature

Selected scientific articles: Sachs, J. D. (2019). Six Transformations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Nature Sustainability, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0352-9 Schwan, G. (2019): Sustainable Development Goals: A call for global partnership and cooperation. GAIA 28/2, 73, DOI: https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.28.2.1

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: ungraded semester performance

Students write a short blog post on one of the six themes and constructively review two other blog posts.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	The Sustainable Development Goals in Context	Wed 18:15-20:00 (HG F 3)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Environmental Sciences Bachelor
- Social Sciences and Humanities
  - Electives
    - Module Individual Sciences
- Natural Science and Technical Electives
  - Environmental Planning ("351-1138-00L PRISMA Capstone - Rethinking Sustainable Cities and Communities" may be taken as an alternative for "701-0909-00L Environmental Systems Seminar" in the 3rd bachelor's degree year. 103-0414-10L Transport Basics is a prerequisite for the Master's degree programme in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems and should be successfully completed in the Bachelor's degree if possible.)
Agricultural Sciences Master
- Electives Courses (Elective courses can be chosen from the entire course programme of the ETH Zurich as well as from the course programme of the University of Zurich.)