Providing a sustainable diet for the world is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. How will the global food system evolve, and what strategies are necessary to produce enough food without destroying the resource base? In this module we explore these questions and take a look into the future.

This module builds on knowledge from previous minors to enable students to understand, question and put into practice methods for communicating sustainability outcomes. Through the use of eco-balance sheets or label assessments in practice,  the importance of sustainability becomes tangible. Discussions with experts from industry, science and politics make the possibilities and limitations of the measurability, verifiability and communication of sustainability comprehensible.

Global challenges require international cooperation at eye level and innovative solution strategies. In this course you will learn about the impacts and challenges of climate change with a focus on agrofood systems in different geographical settings and elaborate possible solutions in international teams.

Apart from the preparation from a local perspective, you will be connected to and work together with our partners from the Universidade Federal de Grande Dourados in Brazil, the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore in India and the University of Nairobi in Kenya.

More information about the International Virtual Course

Ecological stresses of existential severity are increasing, and resource shortages and conflicts are intensifying. Furthermore, far-reaching global shifts are taking place, both economic and political. In this module, different ideas on how to make the economy ecologically compatible are discussed.

In this module you will learn concepts of ecological economics (e.g. prosperity without growth, “Green Economy”), environmental and resource economics (e.g. environmental taxes, certificates) and environmental law. You will learn about strategies and instruments of a holistic environmental policy and deepen your knowledge through concrete examples (e.g. ecological tax reform).

How can food value chains be designed to contribute to sustainable development? The first part of this module, an eLearning course, provides insights into the sustainability of the global food system, the role of food value chains and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the second part, students analyse an existing value chain and outline possible strategies for sustainable development.

Food systems are the basis of our nutrition, elementary components of the environment and our society, and important drivers of the global economic system. In this module, students acquire strategies – from production to consumption  – to satisfy the multiple requirements of a sustainable food system.

This module takes an interdisciplinary approach to the management of natural resources in emerging and developing economies. You will learn about theories and approaches to development and development interventions, the particular challenges of natural resource management in developing and emerging economies and study practical examples from different regions in the world.

Would you like to learn more about agrobiodiversity and how it contributes to locally adapted and resilient land use systems? Visit our Summer School!

Information on registration and details of the course can be found at the following link:

Further information and registration

The Geography of Food Research Group leads the «Geography of Food» module in the foodward (German only) CAS in Food Responsibility