Basics of sustainability
Foundations and challenges of sustainability
Preface
This introduction to the foundations and challenges of sustainable development is aimed at students and lecturers dealing with the most pressing issues of our time from different disciplinary perspectives. It arose from the desire to promote a common understanding – across disciplinary boundaries – in teaching, in research, and in social practice.
The world as we know it today is characterized by a multitude of interwoven crises: Climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequalities, economic instability, and political polarization – in short, a polycrisis. These challenges are neither linear nor easy to solve. They call for a profound rethink of our economic, social, and ecological systems, as well as our actions and our idea of development and progress.
Against this background, this textbook sees itself as a shared learning space: it offers systematic access to central concepts, scientific perspectives, normative questions, and specific fields of action for sustainable development. The aim is not only to impart knowledge, but also to promote the ability to reflect, think critically, and be creative.
This book was written in the context of the study programmes of the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern. It reflects the many years of experience in research and teaching on sustainable development and brings together contributions from various disciplines – from the environmental sciences, geography, and economics to sociology, ethics, and law.
Special thanks go to all the authors who have contributed to the creation of this book with their expertise, passion, and commitment, and to our translator (each Chapter was written in German and subsequently translated into English). We would also like to thank the students, whose critical questions and perspectives are a key driver for the further development of the content. After all, sustainable development is not only a scientific project, but above all a social project – and this begins with education.
We hope that this book will provide a sound basis for your own engagement with sustainability – and encourage you to take responsibility and play an active role in shaping a fair and sustainable world.
How to cite
Bader, C. (Ed.). (2025). Basics of Sustainability (Version 1.3) [Online book]. CDE, University of Bern. Retrieved from https://cdeteaching.github.io/Basics-of-sustainability/
Citing specific chapters:
Chapter 1:
Bader, C. (2025). Understanding and concepts of sustainability. In C. Bader (Ed.), Basics of Sustainability (Version 1.0) [Online book]. CDE, University of Bern. Retrieved from https://cdeteaching.github.io/Basics-of-sustainability/
Chapter 2:
Bader, C. (2025). Approaches to sustainability. In C. Bader (Ed.), Basics of Sustainability (Version 1.0) [Online book]. CDE, University of Bern. Retrieved from https://cdeteaching.github.io/Basics-of-sustainability/
Chapter 3:
Fitz, J., & Bader, C. (2025). Environmental Sustainability. In C. Bader (Ed.), Basics of Sustainability (Version 1.0) [Online book]. CDE, University of Bern. Retrieved from https://cdeteaching.github.io/Basics-of-sustainability/
Chapter 4:
Poelsma, F., & Bader, C. (2025). Social Sustainability. In C. Bader (Ed.), Basics of Sustainability (Version 1.0) [Online book]. CDE, University of Bern. Retrieved from https://cdeteaching.github.io/Basics-of-sustainability/
Chapter 5:
Bader, C., & Bezzola, N. (2025). Economic Sustainability. In C. Bader (Ed.), Basics of Sustainability (Version 1.0) [Online book]. CDE, University of Bern. Retrieved from https://cdeteaching.github.io/Basics-of-sustainability/