The course covers the following themes: sustainable development concept and background, Agenda 21, Millennium Development Goals, 2030 sustainable development goals, key global events in Sustainable Development, UN role and initiatives. The ecological, economical and social threats and difficulties currently arise such as biodiversity loss, ozone layer depletion, water, air and soil contamination, waste accumulation, poverty and population growth are deeply overviewed. The course studies policies in climate change, energy implications and saving. Through tools such as ecological, economic, social and institutional indicators it is shown how to address sustainability at the regional and local levels. The key role of education for sustainable development, practical aspects of sustainable water use, sustainable agriculture, and greening of economy and methods for selection and monitoring of sustainability indicators are discussed. The Europe Strategy of Sustainable Development and European Strategy 2020 are overviewed. The case studies from USA, China, Central and Eastern European countries are considered as examples of interconnection between economic development, environmental and social aspects, and institutional transformation.
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