Enterprise, sustainability and transition

Sustainability and transition

This part of this course aims to provide students with a scientific knowledge base from a full range of disciplines pertaining to the environmental and social issues of sustainability and transition.

The enterprise in transition

The course Enterprise, Sustainability and Transition, Partim 'Enterprise in Transition' is a one-credit course that aims to raise awareness among first-year bachelor students at HEC Liège of contemporary issues related to sustainability and economic, ecological and social transitions. The course is structured around an immersive workshop entitled '2Tonnes' and seminars that will enable students to explore the challenges and opportunities of the transition to more sustainable economic models. Topics covered include the concepts of calculating the carbon footprint and the levers for reducing one's footprint individually and structurally, the energy transition, corporate strategies for integrating sustainability into their activities (from an environmental, social and governance point of view) and low-techs. Through discussions with experts, students will develop an understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts of organisational choices in a context of transition.

Sustainability and transition

At the end of this part, and on the basis of the scientific content presented, students will be able to:

• Describe, differentiate and question the dynamics and interactions of the different spheres of the Earth system;
• Describe and analyse the interactions between the human and the Earth systems;
• Demonstrate the importance of considering the issues of sustainability and transition from a systemic point of view;
• Develop a critical and reflective mindset that enables them to analyse current issues;
• Use the scientific knowledge base to combat feelings of eco-anxiety;

The enterprise in transition

• You will be able to understand the impact of individual and collective choices on CO2 emissions and on achieving climate targets.
  You will be able to propose concrete actions, both on an individual scale and at the level of organisations/companies, to reduce CO2 emissions in different sectors of society.
• You will be able to explain the steps involved in calculating a carbon footprint such as the one carried out as part of the 2 Tonnes workshop.
• You will be able to list the main environmental, societal and economic issues linked to economic activities. You will do this by talking directly to entrepreneurs who are implementing this transition in their businesses.
• You will be able to better understand how a sustainability policy is implemented within the company.

Sustainability and transition

None 

Sustainability and transition

Contents learned autonomously include:

• Videos.
• Video transcripts.
• Additional resources (optional) 

Sustainability and transition

Remote course


Further information:

Remote course


Further information:

The teaching method is distance learning. The part of the course is made up of several videos and recommends optional reading material. Students will be invited to view the content at home independently.

The enterprise in transition

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Participation in the 2 Tonnes workshop will form the backbone of this course. The teaching method for the other courses will mainly focus on lectures and presentations by experts from fields directly related to the topics covered.

We welcome any questions or comments you may have during the course.

Lol@ is the platform(s) used for the course materials in this part.

Workshops and seminars are organised during the first term, for the Welcome Sprint and during the second term according to the calendar published on Celcat and accessible using the course code.

Practical information for the 2 Tons workshops organised on 3, 6, 17 or 20 February will be sent to you by email via your student.uliege.be email address.



PLEASE NOTE: The dates for the 2Tonnes workshops are already available via CELCAT. Students wishing to participate in one of the workshops must register before November 15. For the 2Tonnes workshop, you will be automatically assigned to a group. The workshop date will depend on the group you are assigned to. You will also be asked to complete online questionnaires, which will be sent to you before your workshop is organized. You must complete these questionnaires, otherwise you will be denied access to the workshop. You will also be asked to complete a questionnaire after the workshop, and your completion of this questionnaire will determine whether or not you have successfully completed the workshop.

Sustainability and transition

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Videos, optional reading material and guidelines will be provided via the eCampus platform. 

Sustainability and transition

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )


Further information:

Continuous assessment


Further information:



The course must be completed by 16 December 2025 for the first term. May 11 for the second term, and September 1 for the second session. 



Completion of the SPOC results in automatic validation. This achievement is equivalent to 6 points out of the 20 points available in the final course assessment, or 30% of the final grade.

The enterprise in transition

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

The course consists of:

• Participation in the Welcome Sprint
  Participation in the 2 Tonnes workshop (advance registration required; you will be assigned to one of the four sessions organized)
  Six course sessions

Sustainability and transition

None 

Sustainability and transition

None 

The enterprise in transition

The workshops and seminars for this Partim are organized during the first semester, for the Welcome Sprint only, and during the second semester for the 2 Tonnes workshop and the 6 courses, according to the schedule published on Celcat and accessible using the course code.

Practical information for the 2 Tonnes workshops will be sent to you by email via your student.uliege.be email address.


PLEASE NOTE: The calendar and its content may be subject to change during the year. Any changes will be communicated by email and via Celcat and the Lol@ course platform.

Sustainability and transition

Prof. Sybille Mertens et Floriane Fassotte/Elise Pirenne (durabilite.transition@uliege.be)

The enterprise in transition

Outside the seminars, you can ask your questions by e-mail using your student.uliege.be address and indicating the course code in the subject line. If this information is not provided, your e-mail will not be read. We strongly advise you to make an appointment with one of the course co-teachers

Frédéric Ooms, Lecturer

Room 1702, Building 17

Email: fooms@uliege.be

Bruno Gemenne, Sustainability Manager HEC (S'LAB)

Local : bâtiment N1D, office 2/85B

Email : bruno.gemenne@uliege.be

Sustainability and transition

There is no MOOC associated with this course.