Training: boost your sustainability knowledge

Learn about sustainability, enhance your professional credentials, and make a difference.

Our training is free and open to all staff and students

Use this page to sign up for our training courses and learn more about them.

Start with our Introduction to Sustainability, then move on to Carbon Literacy Training and Biodiversity Literacy Training.

This self-directed online course explains what sustainability is, why it matters and how you can make a difference. Learn more

Carbon literacy training wind turbines

Understand the climate crisis and take action. This industry-recognised professional development course is free and open to all staff and students.

The course has a self-directed online module and a discussion-based workshop with online and in-person options. 

Learn more

Biodiversity literacy training butterfly

Learn about the biodiversity crisis and how to reverse it. This unique professional development course is free and open to all staff and students.

The course has a self-directed online module and a discussion-based workshop with online and in-person options. 

Learn more

Earn your Climate Literacy badge

We train whole departments and student groups

We offer free Carbon Literacy Training and Biodiversity Literacy Training for departments and student groups across the University. Get in touch to arrange a session.

Sustainability training: 5000 staff and students in 2023-24 did sustainability training
Sustainability training: 1,000 pledges by staff and students to lower carbon footprints
Sustainability training: 99% would recommend our training to others

In-depth training

Training - circular economy circle arrows

Sign up for our online circular economy training and help create a zero-waste world through responsible purchasing, sourcing, and reuse efforts at the University.

Modern slavery training label

For us, a sustainable world isn’t possible with slavery or human trafficking in it. What is modern slavery and how can we spot the risks? Our online course for staff and students will improve your knowledge and help the University uphold its zero-tolerance approach.

Lab resources

There are a range of resources available on waste, fume cupboards & ventilation, cold storage, benchtop lab equipment and water. This includes recordings of past training sessions.

SRS training - illustration - LinkedIn Learning

Once you have completed the rest of the training, take it further with LinkedIn Learning courses. They are free to all University of Edinburgh staff and students.

Open training for everyone

Short online courses offer a number of courses themed around Environment and Sustainability, including the Climate Solutions MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). The University also has a wide range of free resources and courses online for ages seven and up.

Short online courses Environment and Sustainability open educational resources

Sustainability training for business

Real-world teaching and learning for individuals and businesses. Across our open and custom offerings, all of our programmes are designed to challenge, inspire and transform your thinking.

One of the options available is Nature and Biodiversity for Business.

Executive education