University of St. Gallen and WWF launch SiA platform with 300 open-access sustainability teaching resources

University of St. Gallen and WWF launch SiA platform with 300 open-access sustainability teaching resources

(IN BRIEF) The University of St. Gallen, in collaboration with WWF Switzerland and the Network for Business Sustainability, has launched the Sustainability in Academia (SiA) platform, offering 300 open-access teaching materials on sustainability. Covering areas such as economics, management, finance, and marketing, and soon expanding into other disciplines, SiA provides curated resources in innovative formats including simulations, podcasts, and project work. Around 50 experts and numerous student initiatives are contributing to the platform, which aims to reach 1,000 participating lecturers by 2027. By supporting educators and embedding sustainability into higher education, SiA strengthens HSG’s global positioning and helps prepare students to tackle pressing challenges like climate change and inequality.

(PRESS RELEASE)  ST. GALLEN, 17-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of St. Gallen (HSG), together with WWF Switzerland and the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS), has launched Sustainability in Academia (SiA), a freely accessible platform that brings together hundreds of high-quality teaching materials on sustainability. With around 300 resources already available, the initiative aims to make sustainability an integral part of teaching at HSG and universities worldwide.

The collection spans a wide variety of formats, from academic research on green investments to interactive simulations for climate solutions and explanatory videos on innovative currency systems. Each material is curated for quality and free accessibility, with resources clearly described and linked within a searchable database.

“Surveys at HSG showed that lecturers want support in integrating sustainability topics into their teaching,” explained Anna Diaz, project manager of the platform and circular economy expert at HSG. “After several years of preparation, the updated SiA platform went live this summer to meet that demand.”

Around 50 experts from HSG, WWF, NBS, and partner universities contribute to the platform by evaluating resources and adding new content. While the initial focus is on economics, management, finance, and marketing, plans are already in place to expand into computer science, natural sciences, and additional fields.

The initiative also highlights innovative teaching formats, from industry-partnered project work and podcasts to “serious games.” “We want to support not only content but also creative and practical ways of teaching sustainability,” said Fabio Allegrini, a trained teacher and member of HSG’s Responsibility & Sustainability Team.

Student initiatives are closely involved in the process, reflecting HSG’s strong sustainability culture, with about 30 of its 140 student associations dedicated to the topic. SiA is also building a broader network: more than 400 lecturers took part in workshops and webinars during the development phase, and by 2027 this figure is expected to rise to 1,000.

By embedding sustainability across disciplines, HSG is reinforcing its international role as a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education while aligning with global labour market needs. “Sustainability issues cut across every industry,” Allegrini noted. “Through SiA, students can build the skills they need to address challenges such as climate change, inequality, and resource scarcity.”

Upcoming introductory webinars for lecturers will take place on 8 October and 5 November 2025.

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SOURCE: University of St. Gallen