Sustainability for All

Welcome Session: Systems Thinking for Sustainability Challenges
Kick-off the course with an engaging in-person half-day session featuring inspirational talks on Theory of Change and Systems Thinking. Students will work hands-on to train these skills, and network with colleagues from all NOVA schools. Mandatory presence is required.

12 Missions
The course develops along 12 missions, organized in four sets, covering all 17 SDGs. Each mission was designed by professors from different NOVA schools, ensuring an interdisciplinary perspective. At the start of the course, the students can access and read about the 12 missions and will choose one mission per set, aiming to complete four missions. Two of these missions must be accomplished until the Midterm Live Session and the other two at the end, before the Final Live Session. Missions can be completed at each student’s own pace.

Midterm Session: Acting as a stakeholder
In-person half-day session focusing on exploring sustainability challenges under a multistakeholder perspective. Students will first learn the stakeholder perspective and then act in multistakeholder teams. This session also offers a unique opportunity to network with students from all NOVA schools. Mandatory presence is required.

2 Q&A Sessions
Students can connect with the mentors and professors responsible for the course during two online synchronous sessions. These offer a unique opportunity to deepen students’ understanding, gain insights and engage in dynamic conversations about the mission topics, or any questions related to the course.

Final Session: Learning together
At the conclusion of the course, the session is dedicated to: (Part I) the exam over a digital platform and (Part II) students’ presentations of their assignments. Students may learn from missions different from those he/she took to complete. Learn on the wide scope of sustainability. Mandatory presence is required.

Each mission starts with an exploration of key concepts and foundational knowledge, providing students with the tools they need to deeply engage with complex topics. Through practical assignments, these missions encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and meaningful progress toward sustainability goals.

Missions are organized in 4 Sets.

Missions Set 1: The Foundations of Life on Earth
Explore the physical and environmental foundations that sustain life on our planet.

• A Healthy Planet | SDG 14 – SDG 15
  Investigate the importance of protecting and restoring ecosystems that enable life.
• Land Use and Food Production| SDG 02 – SDG 06 – SDG 13
  Examine sustainable land use practices and their connection to food security and climate.
• Climate and Energy: Act Now! | SDG 07 – SDG 13
  Address the urgent need for energy sustainability and climate action.

Missions Set 2: Human Health and Well-Being
Understand how the environment and resources impact human health and
quality of life.

• One Health and Well-Being | SDG 03 – SDG 13 – SDG 15
  Explore the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
• Health and Sustainable Food | SDG 02 – SDG 03
  Discover the relationship between sustainable food systems and public health.
• Pure Air, Clean Water, Healthy Future | SDG 03 – SDG 06 – SDG 07
  Investigate how air and water quality affect overall health and sustainability.

Missions Set 3: Human Structures and Challenges for Sustainability
Analyze human-made systems, including economic structures, and their
sustainability challenges.

• Responsible Consumption and Production | SDG 12
  Discover strategies for achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• Sustainable Economic Development| SDG 01 – SDG 08 – SDG 10
  Learn how to balance economic development with sustainability and equity.
• Industry and Infrastructures | SDG 09 – SDG 13
  Examine sustainable approaches to industry and infrastructure development.

Missions Set 4: Social Dimensions of Sustainability
Explore the social aspects of sustainability, including inclusion, peace, and urban development.

• Inclusion, Gender, and Migration | SDG 04 – SDG 05
  Understand the interplay of education, gender equality, and migration in
  building inclusive societies.
• War and Peace in the 21st Century: Where, Why, and How? | SDG 16
  Study the dynamics of conflict and pathways to sustainable peace.
• How Sustainable Is Our Built Environment? | SDG 10 – SDG 11
  Evaluate the eco-efficiency and sustainability of buildings and urban spaces.

Check all the information in the Course Syllabus.

Sustainability impacts all professional activities and personal decisions, with a perspective and actions different from business as usual. Society and the market (green skills) increasingly recognize the importance of addressing sustainability to prevent losses, mitigate damages, and promote environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Sustainability for All will:

Develop Essential Skills: Enhance critical thinking, self-learning, peer-learning, and problem-solving abilities essential for tackling sustainability challenges.

Address Real-World Problems: Equip you with the fundamentals and tools to analyze and respond to pressing sustainability issues by exploring:
Why are these challenges relevant? What causes them? What impacts do they have on social and ecological systems? How can they be effectively addressed and solved?

Adopt a Long-Term Perspective: Cultivate a medium- to long-term mindset as a strategy to anticipate, adapt to, or prevent worst-case scenarios.

Explore Interdisciplinary Solutions: Engage with measures from regulation, technology, innovation, or law to confront challenges, regardless of your scientific background.

Empower you to think critically and act strategically, making a meaningful impact in both your personal and professional endeavors.

Check the calendar for the 2nd edition, starting on February 21, 2026:

Any questions? Send an email to sustentabilidade@unl.pt