Certified Sustainability Systems Thinker (CSST™)
Length: 2 Days
This course introduces systems thinking as a critical tool for sustainable development. Participants will learn how to apply systems thinking to foster sustainable practices that consider ecological, social, and economic dimensions.
Learning Objectives:
- Grasp the basics of systems thinking in the context of sustainability.
- Identify and analyze the systems involved in sustainable development.
- Develop strategies for integrating systems thinking into sustainable development initiatives.
- Plan and implement sustainable projects that benefit all stakeholders.
Target Audience: Environmental managers, sustainability coordinators, policy makers, and anyone involved in planning and implementing sustainability projects.
Course Content:
Module 1: Fundamentals of Systems Thinking and Sustainability
- Introduction to Systems Thinking
- Basic Concepts in Sustainability
- Interconnectedness and Feedback Loops
- Emergence and Complexity
- Systems Mapping and Modeling
- Principles of Resilience and Adaptation
Module 2: Systems Analysis for Environmental, Social, and Economic Challenges
- Environmental Systems Analysis
- Social Systems Analysis
- Economic Systems Analysis
- Identifying System Boundaries and Components
- Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement
- Data Collection and Analysis Techniques
Module 3: Strategies for Sustainable Development Using Systems Thinking
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Circular Economy Principles
- Integrated Resource Management
- Policy Instruments for Sustainability
- Designing for Cradle-to-Cradle
- Triple Bottom Line Accounting
Module 4: Case Studies: Successful Sustainable Systems
- Urban Sustainability Initiatives
- Sustainable Agriculture Practices
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Waste Management Solutions
- Corporate Sustainability Strategies
- Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Practices
Module 5: Interactive Workshop: Designing Sustainable Systems
- Problem Framing and Goal Setting
- Systems Mapping Exercise
- Identifying Leverage Points
- Scenario Planning and Futures Thinking
- Collaborative Decision Making
- Prototyping and Iterative Design
Exam Domains:
- Foundations of Sustainability Thinking
- Understanding sustainability principles and concepts
- Identifying global sustainability challenges
- Recognizing the interconnections between environmental, social, and economic systems
- Systems Thinking Methods and Tools
- Applying systems thinking approaches
- Using systems mapping techniques
- Implementing systems dynamics modeling
- Sustainability Assessment and Analysis
- Conducting sustainability assessments
- Analyzing sustainability indicators and metrics
- Evaluating sustainability performance
- Sustainability Strategy Development
- Formulating sustainable development strategies
- Integrating sustainability into organizational decision-making
- Designing sustainable business models
- Sustainability Leadership and Communication
- Leading sustainability initiatives
- Communicating sustainability effectively
- Engaging stakeholders in sustainability efforts
Question Types:
- Multiple Choice: Assessing knowledge of sustainability principles, concepts, and methods.
- Scenario-based: Presenting real-world sustainability challenges and asking candidates to apply systems thinking to propose solutions.
- Short Answer: Testing understanding of sustainability assessment techniques and strategy development processes.
- Case Study Analysis: Evaluating candidates’ ability to analyze sustainability issues in a specific context and recommend appropriate actions.
- Essay: Allowing candidates to demonstrate their depth of understanding by discussing complex sustainability topics or proposing innovative sustainability strategies.
Passing Criteria: To pass the CSST™ Training exam, candidates must:
- Achieve a minimum score of 70% overall.
- Score at least 60% in each of the five exam domains.
- Successfully demonstrate the application of systems thinking principles and tools in solving sustainability challenges.
- Provide clear and well-supported responses to essay and case study questions.