Sustainable Development Strategies and Business

Basic Principles of the Circular Economy

Industrial Ecology

EU action areas for the circular economy and sustainable development

Circular Food: food production and consumption models adopting circular economy principles

Circular Fashion: The fashion industry and the circular economy

Plastics and the circular economy

Circular Cities

Sustainable mobility

Innovation and the circular economy

Tourism and Sustainable Development

Sustainability Reports (ESG)

“Green” finance

Today, society is putting increasing pressure on organisations to introduce sustainability at the heart of their business models. The transition to a circular economy requires individuals and organisations to be equipped with the basic skills and knowledge to apply circular thinking. In this course, students will delve into sustainable development strategies and circular economy practices adopted in various sectors of the economy. They will then be able to understand and react quickly to global challenges and risks, adapting business models by integrating ESG criteria. They will also be able to manage more effectively the new business challenges of sustainable development and have more opportunities to ensure the long-term success of the businesses and organisations they operate.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• communicate and present circular economy ideas and proposals
• adopt a positive attitude towards the implementation of circular economy practices
• formulate objectives taking into account the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• identify 'green' circular business opportunities in different sectors of economic activity 
• promote new circular business models in their employing organisations
• make use of incentives and programmes that support the transition of enterprises and organisations to the new production model
• support the production of products and services that leave the smallest possible negative environmental footprint.
• manage new business challenges more effectively

Sustainable development, Environment and Energy, Karkalakos Sotiris, Pilemis Michail, Tsotras 2022 (in Greek)

Industrial Ecology, T. E. Graedel, Braden R. Allenby , Prentice Hall, 2003

Circular Economy and Sustainability, Edited by: Alexandros Stefanakis and Ioannis Nikolaou 2021, Elsevier Inc.

Natural resources management and sustainable development, Polyzos Serafim, Tziolas 2022 (in Greek)

Environmental Science, Authors: Miller G. Tyler, Spoolman E. Scott, Dimitrakopoulos P., Gavrilakis K. (editors), TZIOLAS 2018 (in Greek)