5B068E - The Green Economy and Sustainable Development 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Jul 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B068E
Module Title: The Green Economy and Sustainable Development
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Built and Sustainable Environment
Faculty Sub Group: Sustainable Environment
Module Leader: Angela Morris
Module Team: Thomas Lambourne
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100408 - environmental geography 100469 - environmental management 100471 - social sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 40 40 20

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Jul 2032

Module Aims

  • To critically evaluate the principles and practices of circularity in contrast to the traditional linear economy operations. 

  • To assess the application and relevance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across different sectors and scales through interdisciplinary projects that reflect real-world challenges. 

  • To appraise the role of corporate social responsibility and behavioural change in achieving sustainability goals, with a focus on ethical considerations and measurable environmental impacts such as carbon reduction. 

Content Summary

The module examines the concept of a circular economy and the rationale for adoption. An appreciation of the climate drivers and global need for more ethical and sustainable practices is embedded, while analysis of corporate social responsibility explores the challenges faced by business in improving their sustainability metrics. The human perspective of how we manage and drive behavioural change feeds into an analysis of carbon usage and the development of a carbon footprint. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are explored as a theme throughout the module, with an emphasis on how they can be applied at a range of scales from global to local.  

On successful completion of the module, students will apply for Carbon Literacy certification from the Carbon Literacy Trust. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 24
Groupwork 12
Seminar 6
Active/Simulation based 6
Formative Assessment 6
Summative Assessment 60
Direct Study 60
Independent Study 126
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To be able to apply the UN Sustainable Development Goals to a Corporate Sustainability Strategy
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of circular economy and carbon reduction strategies in real-world scenarios

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study Group written work asynchronous 0 2000 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Report Individual and Group Report (Pledge) 0 2500 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study
Report

Reading List

Andreucci, M. B. et al. (eds.) (2021) Rethinking Sustainability Towards a Regenerative Economy. [Online]. Springer Nature. [online]. Available from: https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1539386

 

Blewitt, J. (2018) Understanding sustainable development. Third edition. London; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. 

 

Cheshire, D. (2021) The handbook to building a circular economy. Second edition. London: RIBA Publishing. [online]. Available from: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003212775

 

Lehmann, H. & Hinske, C. (2022) Impossibilities of the Circular Economy. New York: Taylor & Francis. 

 

Mendoza, M. (2018) The Patagonian Sublime?: The Green Economy and Post-Neoliberal Politics. [Online]. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 

World Economic Forum (2025) Global Risks Report 2025. The World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/in-full/global-risks-2025-a-world-of-growing-divisions-c943fe3ba0/