UoM online Sustainable Development Goals exercise

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as:

“meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

World Commission on Environment and Development 1987, p.43 (also known as the Brundtland Report)

That is often realised through the triple bottom line; people, profit and planet (the 3Ps). As a blueprint for a better world by 2030, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are framed within the 3 Ps of sustainable development with the two additional Ps, partnership and peace.

But sustainability is complex and relies upon partnership between different knowledges at different scales. To illustrate this complexity – and potential opportunities – please organise the SDGs into the three categories of profit, people and planet. For each SDG, drag the SDG icon into one of the three categories, whichever one you feel best categorises the SDG.

There are no right or wrong answers in this exercise. We  do ask that you to take a screenshot, or photograph, of your choices at the end of the exercise and share it with the @SustainableUoM Twitter feed.

Complete The Sustainable Development Goals Exercise Here

This interactive exercise was originally designed for our UCIL Creating a Sustainable World online course unit. The unit aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the SDGs. It presents the concept of sustainable development and explains the basis of partnership working that underpins the SDG approach. Each SDG is explored through its own module, drawing on cutting-edge research carried out by world-leading experts across The University of Manchester, together with input from external experts and international policy-makers and practitioners.

The course is led by Dr Jen O'Brien and features over 80 expert contributors from contributors including Professor David Hulme (Global Development Institute), Khalid Malik (The United Nations), Professor Kevin Anderson (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research), Dr. Manisha Anatharaman (Saint Mary's College, California), Professor Amanda Bamford (Division of Evolution & Genomic Sciences), Carly Koinage (UN Habitat), Dr Susie Miles (Manchester Institute of Education), Professor James Evans (Manchester Urban Institute), Professor Michael Shaver (Manchester School of Materials) and Professor Paulo Bartolo (School of Engineering). The course unit is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Manchester and is currently also offered to the Queen Elizabeth Scholars from the Association of Commonwealth Universities.