Careers in Sustainable Development

Countries across the globe, including Australia, have committed to the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while striving for 1.5°C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. This commitment is driving governments, industries, and communities to decarbonise and adopt sustainable practices.

Alongside climate change, nature and biodiversity decline has emerged as an equally urgent challenge. Loss of ecosystems and species threatens food security, supply chains, and economic stability, making nature-positive strategies essential for long-term resilience.

This shift creates an exciting and urgent opportunity for young people to build careers embedded in sustainability. Adelaide University offers a pathway to develop these skills and make a real impact.

Start your journey for meaningful change at Adelaide University.

Science, Environment & Sustainability – Information for Australian Students

Courses in sustainability

College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences

Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change

Lead Policy change and help create a healthier, greener Earth with Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change in the school of Society and Culture.

UN Sustainability Development Goal 13 - Climate action

College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Bachelor of Architectural Design majoring in Urban Planning

Learn urban planning with our Bachelor of Architectural Design, majoring in Urban Planning. Focus on land use, transport and social infrastructure for sustainable communities.

UN Sustainability Development Goal 11 - Sustainable cities and communities

College of Health

Bachelor of Public Health

Lead Policy change and help create a healthier, greener Earth with Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change in the school of Society and Culture.

Improve the health and wellbeing of whole populations for generations to come with Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Public Health.

“The College of Health at Adelaide University champions sustainability education by integrating transdisciplinary approaches like One Health, embedding sustainability principles in health curricula, and preparing graduates to address environmental, community, and planetary health challenges.” (Professor Mario Ricci – Dean, Academic, College of Health)

UN Sustainability Development Goal 3 - Good health and well-being

College of Science

Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science

Earn a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science at Adelaide University. Explore sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity through a multidisciplinary lens, and learn to think big picture to understand environmental challenges connect and integrated solutions.

“Our college brings scientists together across disciplines to address various sustainability challenges. We share real world solutions through hands on teaching, inspiring students to think critically and optimistically about creating a sustainable future.” (Dr. Brianna Le Busque – Program Director, College of Science

UN Sustainability Development Goal 15 - Life on land

College of Business and Law

Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting

Learn about the ethical, social and environmental issues associated with accounting. Discover how to facilitate key management decisions. The Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting gives you a solid foundation in financial principles along with the technical knowledge and cultural intelligence needed to succeed across a range of diverse and fulfilling industries.

"Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting powers forward-thinking sustainability leadership, through coverage in accredited course work in non‑financial accounting and reporting. This is combined with trailblazing SDG and sustainability accounting and reporting research from leading researchers such as Professors Sumit Lodhia and Joanne Tingey-Holyoak that is integrated to shape how the next generation transforms global business practice." (Scott Copeland - Program Director – Commerce, College of Business and Law)

UN Sustainability Development Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth

College of Engineering and Technology

Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental)

Environmental engineers combine their knowledge of our natural and built environments to design and implement safe, sustainable solutions. They tackle climate change, enable the renewable energy transition, secure our water supplies, protect society from natural hazards, and redesign products to reduce waste.

UN Sustainability Development Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Sustainability in the Common Core

The Common Core is a suite of interdisciplinary courses designed to prepare Adelaide University graduates for the future, whatever it holds. These courses foster the skills our industry partners tell us they want in every employee, no matter their profession. As such, each of these courses contain sustainability concepts.

If you are looking for a Common Core course that is directly in conversation with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, try Igniting Change: Ideas to Action

“Students will use entrepreneurship and design thinking to navigate the complexities of turning ideas of desirable futures into meaningful action. To achieve this, students will develop skills in creativity and problem solving in collaborative environments that will challenge existing notions of values, ethics, and sustainable futures.”