Why integrate sustainability

Why sustainability in curriculum?

Our graduates are the leaders of tomorrow, and they will need sustainability-related skills and competencies to succeed as the world transitions toward a sustainable future and navigates with the range of deep sustainability challenges.

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These skills are needed for the future of work.

As the world changes due to climate change and other major environmental changes, industries and professions are changing to meet these needs of a changing planet. Below are some of the facts and figures on the future of work as it relates to sustainability.

800 MILLION JOBS
ARE HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO BEING DISRUPTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

(Phillip et al., 2022)
CANADA'S NATIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGY IDENTIFIES A NEED FOR GRADUATES WITH GREEN SKILLS AND ABLE TO RESPOND TO PRESENT AND FUTURE CLIMATE IMPACTS

(Government of Canada, 2023)
29% HIGHER HIRING RATE FOR WORKERS WITH GREEN SKILLS PER LINKEDIN

(Perna, 2023)
13 %
OF THE LABOUR WORKFORCE ACTUALLY HAS THE SKILLS ORGANIZATIONS NEED AND WANT

(Duke, 2023)
75 %
OF CANADIAN WORKERS BELIEVE AN INABILITY TO FIND SKILLED TALENT IS PREVENTING COMPANIES FROM REACHING THEIR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

(Lindzon, 2023)
40 %
INCREASE IN GLOBAL DEMAND FOR GREEN SKILLS SINCE 2015

(Duke, 2023)
AS SUSTAINABILITY IMPACTS AND TRANSITIONS UNFOLD, OUR GRADUATES WILL NEED CORE SKILLS AND DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY IF THEY ARE TO BE GLOBAL CITIZENS PREPARED TO THRIVE IN AN AGE OF RAPID CHANGE

(KNIBB, 2016)

Students are looking for this content.

Now more than ever, students are aware of the global changes to our planet and concerned about how they will affect their future. Students have expressed interest in learning about sustainability topics integrated into their undergraduate experience, particularly as they see it to be relevant for their future careers. Below are two figures based on a Fall 2023 survey of University of Waterloo students, expressing their interest in this content.

A graph demonstrating students believe sustainability topics will affect their careers primarily in a medium or high degree.

Based on a Fall 2023 survey of 385 undergraduate students.

Graph demonstrating student preferences for sustainability in curriculum to be work experience, experiential learning, and awards or competitions.

Based on a Fall 2023 survey of 385 undergraduate students.

This aligns with University of Waterloo strategic goals.

The University of Waterloo has made several commitments to including environmental sustainability and climate change content in undergraduate curriculum. By including sustainability in curriculum, you are aligning with University of Waterloo strategic plans and commitments.

University of Waterloo Strategic Plan THEMES FOR IMPACT Developing talent for a complex future Strengthening sustainable and diverse communities OBJECTIVE T1A Increase flexible curricula that stimulate reflective, deep learning and develop competencies to address global challenges and opportunities

See the University of Waterloo Strategic Plan.
University of Waterloo Sustainability Strategy ACADEMICS GOAL Be a leader in sustainability education and research

See the University of Waterloo Sustainability Strategy.
University of Waterloo Climate Declaration COMMITMENT #3 We will continue to strengthen integration of sustainability and climate in our teaching and curriculum.

See the University of Waterloo Climate Emergency Declaration.

Okanagan Charter CALL TO ACTION 1 1.1 Embed health in all campus policies 1.2 Create supportive campus environments 1.4 Support personal development CALL TO ACTION 2 2.1 Integrate health, well-being and sustainability in multiple disciplines to develop change agents 2.2 Advance research, teaching and training for health promotion knowledge and action

See the Okanagan Charter.

Sources

Duke, S. (2023, May 1). The future of jobs is green: How climate change is changing labour markets. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/future-of-jobs-is-green-2023-climate-change-labour-markets/

Government of Canada. (2023). Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building resilient communities and a strong economy. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/national-adaptation-strategy/full-strategy.html

Knibb, H. (2016). Green Skills for Sustainable Economic Growth: The Role of Canadian Colleges and Institutes in Advancing Education for Sustainability in Canada and Overseas. Colleges and Institutes Canada

Lindzon, J. (2023, September 5). Thinking beyond just “the green sector”: Why every organization needs workers with sustainability skills throughout their business. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-thinking-beyond-just-the-green-sector-why-every-organization-needs/

Perna, M. C. (2023, September 21). Demand for green skills outpacing what the workforce can deliver-but there’s hope. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/markcperna/2023/09/21/demand-for-green-skills-outpacing-what-the-workforce-can-deliver-but-theres-hope/?sh=67be87ae5f24

Philip, Dr. P., Steinmann, J., & Barnes, D. (2022). Work toward net zero. Deloitte. https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/climate/work-toward-net-zero.html?id=gx%3A2el%3A3pr%3A4work_toward_net_zero%3A5GC1000045%3A6abt%3A20221101%3Agc1000136

UK Universities Climate Network. (October 2021). Mainstreaming Climate Change Education in UK Higher Education Institutions. https://uucn.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Mainstreaming-Climate-Change-Education.pdf