An Introduction to Sustainability in the Built Environment

Unpack sustainable building design

The built environment currently contributes around 40% of annual CO2 emissions globally. Therefore, improving the sustainability of the built environment is imperative if we are to stay within a 1.5-degree world.

On this four-week course, you’ll be introduced to the different approaches that can improve sustainability in the built environment across the globe.

By the end, you’ll feel equipped to advocate for sustainable building design and delivery and be empowered to apply this knowledge in your own context.

Learn from the experts at UKGBC

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the experts at the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). You’ll take part in a range of activities to understand the key challenges in achieving sustainable buildings and net zero.

Explore green building practices

You’ll gain an understanding of core sustainability concepts and how they play out in the built environment. This will include climate change, resources use, nature and biodiversity, social value, and health and wellbeing.

You’ll also discover building typologies and interpret variations in green building practices. Next, you’ll delve into a variety of case studies to see green building in real-life contexts.

Learn how to take action for a sustainable future

Finally, you’ll learn how to turn your knowledge into action. You’ll investigate the unique role you can play in influencing the sustainability in the built environment around you.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge to your work, community, or home and take action to positively influence sustainability outcomes.

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in the role the built environment plays in creating a sustainable future.

You may already be working in the built environment and looking to upskill in the field of sustainability or you may have knowledge of sustainability and want to apply this to the context of the built environment. If you have limited knowledge of both buildings and sustainability and want to learn more about sustainable design and delivery, this course will give you a solid introduction.

• Context
• Welcome to the course!
• The sustainability challenge & opportunity
• The role of the built environment
• Your built environment: context
• Get inspired
• End of week wrap-up
• Concepts
• What to expect this week
• What is sustainability in the built environment?
• Five key concepts of sustainability in the built environment
• Your built environment: solutions
• End of week wrap-up
• Cases
• Welcome to week 3: cases
• Case study review
• Create your own case study
• End of week wrap-up
• Change
• Your final week!
• Creating change
• Your pledge
• This is not the end!