Global Sustainable Development

Course Coordinator: Dr Chen Jianlin, BSc, MSc (TJU); PhD (CityU)

Introduction
ENVR S886F Global Sustainable Development is an important course for students taking the Master of Science in Global Environmental Management for Sustainable Development. In this course, key environmental issues will be discussed to give students a full picture of how the issues relate to the socio-economic aspects of development.

Aims
This course aims to enhance students' understanding of the systems thinking approach to environmental sustainable development on a global scale.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. conclude the relationship between environmental protection and socio-economic development;
2. judge the roles of renewable energy for global sustainable development;
3. evaluate major strategies for water, air, waste and land management worldwide;
4. explain the key concepts of environmental sustainability in the development of smart cities;
5. recommend the current best practice in sustainable development using a systems thinking approach; and
6. interpret current development and international trends in environmental management, green business and sustainable development.

Course contents

1. Conflicts between environmental protection and economic development
2. Sustainable social, economic and environmental development
3. Global cooperation: Sustainable development as a system
4. Renewable energy for sustainable development
5. Total water management strategy
6. Clean air programme
7. Waste resources management and recycling
8. Land reservation and reclamation
9. Environmental sustainability in the development of smart cities: Case studies

Assessment
Course assessment will include two assignments (50%) as continuous assessments (OCAS) and a mini project (50%) as Overall Examination Score (OES). The mini project consists of an oral presentation (20%) and a written report (30%), and will be done as a group project with individual assessment. Students with different academic backgrounds will be grouped to promote academic exchange. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set book(s)
There will be no set book for this course. The following books will be the main references of study:

1. Sanneh, E S (2017) Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development: Climate Change and the Environment, Springer.
2. Hulsmann, S and Ardakanian, R (2018) Managing Water, Soil and Waste Resources to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals: Monitoring and Implementation of Integrated Resources Management, Springer.
3. Vesco, A and Ferrero, F (2015) Handbook of Research on Social, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability in the Development of Smart Cities, IGI Global.
4. Zielinski, T, Sagan, I and Surosz W (2018) Interdisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Development Goals: Economic Growth, Social Inclusion and Environmental Protection, Springer.
5. Blackburn, W R (2015) The Sustainability Handbook: The Complete Management Guide to Achieving Social, Economic, and Environmental Responsibility (2nd edn), Environmental Law Institute.
6. Barrow, C J (2006) Environmental Management for Sustainable Development (2nd edn), Routledge.
7. Ukaga, O, Maser, C and Reichenbach, M (2019) Sustainable Development: Principles, Frameworks, and Case Studies, CRC Press.