Changes to the physical and biotic environment are both natural and arise because of human activity. Recently these changes have been so significant that we now clearly recognise planetary scale change e.g. biodiversity loss and climate change derived directly from human actions rather than natural processes. The scale of these climatic and environmental changes is becoming ever more evident and urgent, as droughts, floods, species loss, and viral pandemics occur with increasing frequency and intensity. At the same time, the fall-out of these overlapping ongoing crises are not experienced equally across society. Responding to these pressing challenges requires a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of how social and physical processes interact in a complex, unequal world by being informed about earth systems science and how the environment is changing and national and international governance and policy landscapes. In this 5 ECT micro-credential, students will gain a broad, critical understanding of approaches to studying environmental change, the nature and scale of that change, as well as reflecting on their own place within a changing world. The module will introduce students to key debates and approaches to sustainability and climate action. Students will interrogate different approaches to sustainable development and climate action through an examination of key sectors, such as agri-food production, energy, flood risk and decarbonisation. Students will also gain a critical understanding of key concepts such as climate justice, degrowth, circular economy and the just transition. The module will require students to reflect upon different scales of action and their impact and effectiveness in achieving transformative change from their own individual behaviour to workplaces, national policies and global political and economic systems. The module will equip students with the foundational knowledge to understand and think critically about how we currently approach sustainability and climate action and how we might into the future.

Maynooth University

Education Leadership and Management 

Teaching and Education

Changes to the physical and biotic environment are both natural and arise because of human activity. Recently these changes have been so significant that we now clearly recognise planetary scale

Climate Action & Sustainable Development

According to Quality and Qualifications Ireland Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a process by which prior learning is formally identified, assessed and acknowledged. QQI describe RPL as an important enabler of making lifelong learning more accessible" and a key feature of systems of accreditation that allow us to account for previous education, skills and work experience as well as engagement in society (QQI, 2021). When RPL is used effectively, it promotes inclusivity, equality and can be a key motivator in encouraging people to engage in education. It recognises the ways in which learning occurs in many ways including through work experience or volunteering. Moreover, it apprecates the importance of acknowledging qualifications that are attained both in other juristictions and across other subjects can be transferable when the correct mechanisms are in place for assessing their compatibility with future learning. Most educators understand this and recognise the many benefits of RPL. People are also often aware of the range of national and local policies that have been developed to guide its implementation. However, many education providers fall short of offering the full range of benefits RPL brings and many practitioners can be reluctant to implement RPL to its fullest capacity. There are reasons for this hesitancy including fear of the unknown, concerns about potential negative impacts on the standardisation of assessment, worries about an increase in workload and a sense that they are not familiar enough with legal and policy guidelines and examples of good practice. This micro-credential is designed to address these concerns by building the knowledge, skills,and competencies of those who take part. It will draw from theoretical foundations, legal frameworks, and examples of best practice to ensure graduates leave the programme confident in their capacities to implement change in their workplaces be these Further Education or Higher Education.

According to Quality and Qualifications Ireland Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a process by which prior learning is formally identified, assessed and acknowledged. QQI describe RPL as an important

Education Leadership and Management

Microcreds