Sustainability is a big topic in the world right now – especially with the younger generation.
On an educational level, it is important to consider how schools include the importance of sustainability namely the circular economy in the curriculum. By eliminating the traditional linear economy, the circular economy ultimately works to limit waste and maximise resources by implementing a closed-loop production process that is both restorative and regenerative.
Learning about the circular economy is not just for engineering and environmental students, it should be across all students of all age groups and academic paths. The civil society has tried through different projects to have a comprehensive approach to the theme, such as the project https://familycircleproject.eu/en/ .
Also, worth to highlighting the Eco-Schools programme – an international programme of the “Foundation for Environmental Education”, developed in Portugal since 1996 by the ABAE. It aims to encourage actions and recognise the quality work developed by the school, within the scope of Environmental Education for Sustainability.
But circular economy is even more pertinent for business students to increase their sustainability awareness within a business environment and become advanced thinkers at a very critical time for the environment, and all business schools should adapt and update their curricula based on the inclusion of the theme.
“We have to know how to be more productive with our resources and move towards a more circular economy. Most of the technologies we need we already have. The challenge is how to accelerate the pace of change. [Karmenu Vella. European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. European Commission. 2016] [Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2014-2019/vella/blog/communique-g7-toyama-environment-ministers-meeting_en ]
Also, several Member States have triggered the formulation of strategies, roadmaps and action plans for the circular economy, ahead of the European Commission. They see the circular economy as an inevitable trend and consider that anticipating actions and positioning – at national and international level – will bring important competitive advantages.
Teresa Valente
Storytellme Manager
