Training: become a sustainability expert
Develop your knowledge and skills to make change. Start with our introduction to sustainability for staff and students, then complete in-depth training on carbon, biodiversity, circular economy and modern slavery. Access resources to make your lab more sustainable. This sustainability training hub also showcases open training for everyone, including training for business.
Sustainability in teaching and learning | Climate and Sustainability Leadership Edinburgh Award
Introduction to Sustainability
This online course explains what sustainability is, why it matters and suggests actions you can take to live, study and work more sustainably.
Sustainability training is open to all staff and students
5,000 staff and students did some form of sustainability training in 2023-24. Some have gone on to lobby their governments and deliver training themselves.
Carbon Literacy Training is externally accredited
Pledges staff and students have made include reducing meat consumption, embracing active travel, flying less, buying less and buying second-hand.
700 left feedback
"Overall, it's excellent and felt very inclusive with staff and students there. It's heartening to meet others who care so much about sustainability issues..."
Biodiversity Literacy Training participant
In-depth training
Become a biodiversity expert
What is biodiversity? And why is important that we understand our impacts on ecosystems? This course is open to staff and students, and will help you build your understanding.
Become a carbon expert
Develop your knowledge of the climate crisis by taking the accredited and award-winning Carbon Literacy Training here at the University of Edinburgh. The course is open to all staff and students.
Become a modern slavery expert
For us, a sustainable world isn’t possible with slavery or human trafficking in it. What is modern slavery and how can we spot the risks? Our online course for staff and students will improve your knowledge and help the University uphold its zero-tolerance approach.
Become a sustainable lab expert
There are a range of resources available on waste, fume cupboards & ventilation, cold storage, benchtop lab equipment and water. This includes recordings of past training sessions.
LinkedIn Learning
Once you have completed the rest of the training, take it further with LinkedIn Learning courses. They are free to all University of Edinburgh staff and students.
Open training for everyone
Short online courses offer a number of courses themed around Environment and Sustainability, including the Climate Solutions MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). The University also has a wide range of free resources and courses online for ages seven and up.
Short online courses Environment and Sustainability open educational resources
Sustainability training for business
Real-world teaching and learning for individuals and businesses. Across our open and custom offerings, all of our programmes are designed to challenge, inspire and transform your thinking.
One of the options available is a fundamental course for financial professionals focused on the consequences of climate change on finance.