A sustainability e-learning course for EPFL staff

Everyone has a role to play in tackling climate change, both individually and within the communities and institutions to which they belong. With this in mind, EPFL has adopted a Climate and Sustainability Strategy aimed at strengthening its environmental and social impact, notably with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on its campus by 40% by 2030. To support this ambition, the School offers its staff an online training course entitled “Towards a Sustainable Campus”.

The purpose of this e-learning module is to raise awareness of the major sustainability challenges on the EPFL campus, to present the concrete actions implemented by the School to achieve its objectives, and to help each individual identify how they can actively contribute to this transformation.

Lasting one hour, the course covers the main climate and sustainability challenges on the EPFL campus, the concrete measures put in place by the School to meet its goals, the orders of magnitude associated with these issues, as well as practical ways in which everyone can help reduce the institution’s environmental impact and strengthen sustainable practices in everyday life, across the ten key action areas of the Climate and Sustainability Strategy.

This educational content includes an introduction to EPFL’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy accompanied by a self-assessment quiz; the option to complete at least three modules out of ten thematic areas (Energy and Buildings, Procurement and Waste, Commuting Mobility, Travel, Green Labs, Responsible Digital Practices, Food, Resilient Campuses, Community, and Sustainable Finance and Partnerships); and, for each module, an animated video presenting the challenges, key figures and main projects, interactive activities, peer testimonials, ideas for individual action, and scientific references for further exploration.

This initiative is part of a broader set of actions designed to support the EPFL community in adopting more sustainable practices and behaviors in response to the climate emergency—a theme that has become central to the School’s strategic vision. Given its size, influence and position, EPFL has a role to play as a model institution.

“Highly recommended”

The training course is part of the “highly recommended” modules on the Keeplearning platform, which is specifically aimed at EPFL staff. It enables participants to better understand EPFL’s environmental objectives and to embed sustainable practices at all levels of the institution, whether in teaching, research, innovation, events or campus operations.

Beyond this online training, EPFL is developing a rich educational offering around sustainability, including courses, MOOCs, teaching resources, and support for integrating sustainability issues into curricula and professional activities.