E-learning and Sustainable Development
Written by Francis Mathijssen contentspecialist at RMMBR
The role of e-learning in shaping a more sustainable world.
We are living in a time where humanity faces substantial global challenges. Climate change causes global temperature rise, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, and global health threats. There are enormous disparities in opportunity, wealth, and power, and gender inequality remains a key challenge (United Nations, 2015). The issues we face today impose new requirements on all of us. However, not everyone has the same power and opportunity to make a difference. Companies have a massive impact on sustainable development. Time to take your professional responsibility and turn things around!
What is sustainable development?
The question of how we can live on Earth with long-term viability while dealing with a growing population is addressed by sustainable development. Sustainable development raises the ethical dilemma about what we should sustain, not what we can sustain. It's essential to develop functioning societal systems, providing all humans with the opportunity to meet needs like health and autonomy, rather than meeting people's wishes for yet greater material well-being (Hedenus et al., 2018).
Now and Then
In the 18th century, Western philosophers concluded that the scarcity of natural resources could become an obstacle to the growing human population (Zweig, 1979). Fast forward 300 years, human activity impacts the natural environment more than ever. As global trade increases and (low-priced) products cross oceans with only one click, the negative impact of businesses on Earth's finite resources and inequality continues to grow.?
Due to the increasing consequences of our growth economy, the transition to sustainability has become a necessity, not an option. More and more regulations and laws will come into place, forcing companies to adhere to business processes that support sustainable development. And more and more companies are intrinsically motivated to operate more sustainably.
This requires a shift in our professional lives. Sustainability has transitioned from being a marketing topic to becoming part of the business strategy, not only due to stricter regulations but also because of the increased awareness among consumers and employees (Hedenus et al., 2018).
E-learning for sustainability ?
Multinationals have a major impact on global environmental and social challenges. According to Riley (2021), just 100 companies have emitted more than 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988. Only 7.2% of materials are cycled back into the economy globally (CGR, 2024). And despite attempts to narrow the gender pay gap, women still make less on average than men (Haan, 2024). Corporations can, however, mitigate the harm they cause, reduce overconsumption, and start operating in an equal manner.
Many codes of conduct emphasize that employees have an obligation to society to contribute to sustainable development in their professional lives. A complete integration is necessary to be effective, meaning all departments and agencies bear responsibility for its implementation (Hedenus et al., 2018).?
Acquiring relevant knowledge is essential to understanding what actions can help reach sustainability goals. To motivate new behavioral patterns among staff requires a high level of communication, interaction, and expertise (Donath et al., 2020).
E-learning solutions offer numerous advantages and meet the demand for sustainable learning. The use of e-learning creates endless possibilities, engaging personnel in self-learning and self-development through customized learning methods and designs. E-learning is very suitable for reaching and training thousands of professionals around the globe. By creating platforms and content connected to corporate-wide learning objectives, people of all professions are enabled to create a sustainable future.
Different eyes see different things
Two people could use the term sustainable development but talk about two entirely different things. The concept of sustainability is normative, which means that a definition of sustainable development is always based on values and ethics (Hedenus et al., 2018). Teaching personnel about sustainability issues includes trying to understand the perspectives of others and what underlies differences in opinion on what sustainable development is, and what it requires.
When developing learning materials for sustainable development, it is necessary to create a shared understanding of what sustainability means for your company, relating to clear overarching principles, goals, and policies. The learning environment needs to centralize the understanding and motivation of the target group, using their perceptions as a starting point.
E-learning solutions allow for collaboration processes in which learners from different (professional) backgrounds, age groups, and skill levels can learn through custom technologies and tools. E-learning opens the gates to new opportunities in learning (Donath et al., 2020), given different forms and ways to generate change and manage (sustainable) knowledge.?
领英推荐
Make the difference
Taking your professional responsibility requires more than making farfetched promises and using big words. Communicating about sustainable change is about being sincere, and transparent. Therefore, sustainable learning materials need to be substantive and accurate. There are 3 things that can make or break your initiatives to go green.?
- NO greenwashing: Sugarcoating your sustainable initiatives does not help anyone. Misinformation creates mistrust and demotivates staff. Your employees will be confused when they do not receive the right tools to actually make a difference. Be honest and open about the current position of the company, what it requires to change, and what is expected from personnel.?
- Tailor learning materials: As mentioned earlier, sustainable development can mean different things to different people. Be receptive to the current knowledge level of your employees, and act accordingly. Do not expect them to move mountains in a day. Instead, tailor learning materials to the current situation, and go from there. ?
- Be aware of your own ideology: Be aware of your own beliefs and learning preferences when creating learning materials, as these can be completely different from the learning needs of the target group. Put yourself in their shoes, how can you help them succeed?
“The sustainable challenges we face today impose new requirements on all of us. These challenges cut across disciplines and professions and if we are to meet them, we will have to work across traditional boundaries.”? Hedenus et al., 2018.
To summarize ?
Incorporating sustainability at work is a shared responsibility from the top down. A lack of knowledge or a shared understanding of what sustainable development means and requires causes resistance to contribute. Creating customized learning materials that lift internal knowledge to a higher level is necessary to be efficient and effective in this transition. E-learning can meet the different learning needs of diverse departments in any corporation. As more and more companies want and need to make a corporate change to support sustainable development, there is a need for learning tools and materials that bridge the knowledge gap and make the workforce aware of how they can contribute.
Examples of sustainable e-learnings
Acting sustainably is relevant in all sectors, from choosing your suppliers based on your environmental standards, to changing behavioral patterns and encouraging employees to bike to a work appointment. Making your workforce aware of your organizational changes, expectations and plans requires the right forms of education and communication. E-learning helps you achieve this in an accessible and engaging way.
Over the years, we’ve developed numerous e-learnings that contribute to sustainable development in the workplace.
?
What’s next? ?Curious how RMMBR can boost your sustainability trainings? Get in touch!
For more Sustainability cases, check here (in Dutch).
Sources: