Sustainable development and transition

Language

French

Prerequisites

This course assumes acquired disciplinary knowledge in mechanics and electricity (as taught in the LEPL1201 course) and in chemistry (energy aspects and thermal machines) as taught in the LEPL1301 course.

Main themes

The negative impacts of our development model are increasingly evident: six of the nine limits
identified planetary issues are transgressed and a significant part of the world population does not have access to
factors of human satisfaction enabling a good life. The transition actions to be carried out are urgent and require, in a systemic approach, to combine the skills of numerous disciplines including engineering sciences.
The course is intended to be an introduction to sustainable development and the necessary transitions in the socio-economic model.
to enable a good life for all within planetary limits. It includes the presentation of
context of the climate challenge and planetary limits and introduces the essential tools for environmental impact accounting engineers, which are the carbon footprint of an organization (company, country, etc.) and the life cycle analysis of a product or service. These methods are part of a legal and normative framework (ISO14001, EMAS).
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the course introduces the limitations of the existing socio-economic system
and offers analyzes of more specific aspects of possible transitions: energy transition and capture
carbon dioxide, digital transition, circular economy, materials supply and waste management
waste.
In this course, relevant socio-technical transition initiatives are presented to inspire future people.
engineers to commit to building a sustainable world in their future careers. Finally, the course
opens up other perspectives on the transition and more specifically that of the countries of the Global South.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	use a carbon accounting method to produce an organization's assessment based on a detailed statement that may have gaps and therefore making reasonable assumptions for missing data. use a life cycle analysis method to carry out an assessment of a product or service on the basis of a detailed statement but which may have gaps and therefore by making reasonable assumptions for the missing data. restore the current ecological and social context by objectifying it via factual data and relevant orders of magnitude. question, within the framework of a systemic interdisciplinary approach, the non-technical issues of the activities and products studied. The course will contribute to the development of the following learning outcomes among those of the BAC civil engineering program: AA 2.2. Document the current state of knowledge in the area of ​​the problem posed. AA 2.3. Pose working hypotheses for the modeling of a framed problem. AA 2.6. Synthesize in order to explain: the hypotheses, the modeling and the proposed solution. AA 2.7. Take a critical look at assumptions made and the relevance of solutions (individual self-assessment). AA 2.8. Formulate recommendations to improve the solution studied, the system analyzed. AA 4.2. Communicate in graphic and schematic form; interpret a diagram, present the results of work, structure information. AA 4.3. Read, analyze and use technical documents (standards, plans, specifications, specifications, etc.). AA 4.4. Write summary written documents taking into account the requirements posed within the framework of the missions (projects and problems).

Content

The course is composed of a first part introducing sustainable development in a broad context and training learners in accounting tools:

• Introduction to sustainable development issues,
• Climate challenge and planetary limits,
• Accounting tools: carbon footprint of an organization,
• Accounting tools: life cycle analysis of a product or service,
• Limits to growth and socio-ecological transition.

The second part includes thematic sessions around topics specific to the fields of engineering sciences drawn from the expertise of the teaching team:

• Energy transition,
• Circular economy,
• Digital transition,
• Supply of resources and materials,
• waste management,
• Carbon dioxide capture.

Teaching methods

Teaching is based on participatory lessons, practical exercise sessions on environmental impact accounting and on opening activities chosen by students and validated by the teaching team.

Evaluation methods

The assessment of acquired knowledge is carried out on the basis of four methods:

• an individual written quiz during the term on accounting tools (carbon footprint and life cycle analysis) counting for 40% of the final grade;
• the creation of a course fresco (conceptual map) in a group as an assignment counting for 15% of the final grade;
• the oral presentation and defense of this fresco in a group during the examination session counting for 15%;
• individual participation in optional activities of interdisciplinary awareness of sustainable development and transition counting for 30% of the final grade.

Participation in the individual exam and group work are mandatory. Since the course fresco is carried out in a group, it cannot be repeated in the second session.

Online resources

    
https://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=14891

Faculty or entity

> BTCI