Introduction to SDGs/CE

The SDG’s are a universal plan for all countries to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. They represent a set of 17 goals with 169 targets, provide a focus for the international community's development actions through 2030 and are the yardstick by which progress will be measured. They are intended to be addressed as a group rather than individually, as the 17 goals are interconnected.

Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda was launched in September 2015, teachers and educators around the world have taken ownership of the ambitions of the SDGs and begun to integrate them into their learning practices.

Circular Economy is closely related to the SDG's as the concept of Circular Economy is regenerative by definition: the products and processes should be designed with the circular character of the system in mind. In other words, it must always look for the minimum possible value materials loss and, at the same time, should already be looking for a hypothetical second life of the product. Reuse is the keyword.

In the below sections you will be able to read in more detail about both.

Introduction to SDGs

The SDGs define sustainability as having three components: social, economic and environmental. These components are interrelated, one leading to the other, and must be addressed simultaneously. Through a holistic approach, this module proposes to think beyond their locality and country on issues that affect us all - extreme poverty, inequality, climate change, etc. By understanding the challenges of the SDGs, learners can develop a global vision of sustainable development and feel collectively concerned. Achieving climate change goals, for example, requires more than just policies at the international, regional or national level; it also requires changes in our lifestyles, thought processes and behaviors.

-> Watch the below video about the global goals of SDGs

Introduction to Circular Economy

Formulating what circular economy is, is not easy. There are many possibilities under the same concept alongside the theoretical framework, that can become at times, poorly delimited and longwinded.

However, there is a need to define and explain what circular economy is, even though the concept is not new anymore. And why are we saying this…? Because, back in 1976, Walter Stahel and Genevieve Reday already drafted the vision of an economy in loops (or circular economy) and its impact on job creation, economic competitiveness, resources saving and waste prevention.

Therefore, to explain Circular Economy in a few words, we can say that is the generic term to define a new model that seeks to maintain the materials, products and components in circular processes, through which they can be reintegrated into the value chain (product life cycle) after the end of their useful life.

Watch the below animation about the essentials of Circular Economy.