Toolkit for the Interdisciplinary Infusion of the SDGs into Classrooms
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SDG Resources for the Classroom

Putting resources into practice

Here instructors will find a variety of resources to help supplement lessons, inspire ideas and encourage student engagement while infusing the SDGs.

The case studies below represent educational content related to the SDGs. Instructors can use case studies to support lessons, projects, assignments and more.

  • SDG 1: No Poverty - The Role of Business in Poverty Reduction lesson is from the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. This lesson has case studies and provides an overview of frameworks for poverty reduction, including the Base of the Pyramid, frugal innovation, and social innovation. The lesson resources explore how businesses can provide innovative market-based solutions for poverty reduction, economic development, and sustainable development.
  • Read The SDG Accountability Handbook with case studies on various approaches to accountability. They are collected from civil society organizations around the world to implement and monitor the 2030 agenda at national and local levels. People may also contribute a case study.
  • Visit the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to read about accelerating education for the SDG in Universities: Case Studies. This is a collection of innovative and inspiring case studies from universities around the world.
  • Visit The Sustainable Development Goals Fund for an online database of sustainable development case studies. They have a selection of effective practices on how to achieve a sustainable world and advance the 17 SDGs.
  • Visit the Sustainability Exchange to read the SDG Accord Report 2022 Case Studies. Case studies include good practices, celebrating and/or outlining barriers of how institutions are integrating the SDGs. There are case studies from 38 colleges and universities around the world.
  • Visit Tools of Change - Case Studies for an extensive, freely accessible collection of full-length voluntary behavior change, social marketing and community-based social marketing case studies. They describe proven methods for promoting health, safety and environmental citizenship. The site also has planning tools and resources for instructors.
  • Visit the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) for case studies related to SDGs #6, #7, #11, #12 and #13. 

The following games provide instructors with materials to introduce and infuse the SDGs into teaching.

NEW! Discover a thrilling new game experience on SDG Island, where sustainability meets excitement! 

Welcome to the SDG Island Metaverse

Kristin Moskalyk and Nicole Lamoureux, graduate students from the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Educational Technology and Design (ETAD) program and instructional designers at the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning created a metaverse designed to engage and educate students on marine conservation and sustainable ocean resources.

The virtual reality world aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water. The goal of SDG 14 is to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” Kristin and Nicole named their metaverse SDG Island and includes comprehensive learning materials for students to engage with. 

Users are welcomed to SDG Island with a news broadcast video that introduces tasks to accomplish. In the metaverse, there are opportunities to view information via videos and slides, participate in discussions and activities, create and design ways to contribute to SDG 14 and guidelines to connect the concepts from the metaverse to the real world. The accessible layout allows users to explore the metaverse via a VR headset, desktop computer, tablet or mobile device.

Download the Accompanying Learning Journal or view the Learning Journal in PDF

Watch Techy Teachers - SDG Metaverse Competition

All Here

A winner of the The Digital Games for Peace challenge. This game is aimed specifically at those between 11 to 17 years old.  All Here is based on a conversation between Kuttu and his grandfather Yedu, where Yedu through flashbacks takes Kuttu on an experiential journey of how his initiatives during the dark ages helped the city achieve its dream. 

The interactions within the game take the shape of conflict resolution challenges and mini-games which encourage diversity and inclusivity, inter-generational dialogues, and taking action to promote a culture of peace.

DiverCity

A winner of the The Digital Games for Peace challenge. This game is a multiplayer take on the classic city builder games. DiverCity tasks players to design and build DiverCity - a place where many different people from different parts of the world live in peace, celebrating their cultural, religious and social identities freely. 

The interactions within the game take the shape of various challenges revolving around collaborative gameplay, collective problem solving, intercultural dialogue, conflict resolution and exploration, which promote a culture of peace through holistic social emotional learning, that simulates their cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural patterns.

Go Goals!

This is a game by UN SDGs that aims to teach the 17 SDGs through an interactive snakes and ladders game. A printable game board, game rules, cut out dice and token and question sheet with several questions per SDG goal are provided.

Watch the informational video.

  • Games for Learning is a project by UNESCO that provides games for learning initiatives such as UN SDGs, focusing on the science of learning. It covers several types of games for learning, game based courses and games for SDGs.
  • Read Games for the SDGs . Lessons from a year of using simulation games and tools to create awareness and mobilisation on the Sustainable Development Goals among young people in Namibia.

Reverse

A winner of the The Digital Games for Peace challenge. Reverse is an adventure game about a young girl belonging to a marginalized community who wishes to change her future for the betterment of humanity by proactively countering different conflicts in her present.

The game invites the players to combat structural violence, especially identity-based discrimination, through various peacebuilding & conflict resolution mechanics. It has empathy as the primary SEL component with practical applications of other SEL components. The game can be enjoyed by youth in both formal and informal education environments.

  • The SDGs in Action App. Learn about the 17 SDGs, get news on your favourite goals, find out what you can do to achieve them, create your own events and invite others to join you in sustainable actions and events.
  • SDG Fitness Test from the UN SDG: Learn. The assessment consists of 24 questions formulated around 4 scenarios. Each scenario puts a learner in a different role in either government, non-profit, private sector, or as an individual citizen.

Slate

A winner of the The Digital Games for Peace challenge. Slate is a choice-based narrative adventure set in the city of Riri, where you play as three different individuals, each living very different lives, however interconnected through a series of events. With the underlying theme of Positive Peace, the game is set against a backdrop of civic unrest, terrorism, and social apathy to educate and inform the player.

Play as a resistance member or a teacher or a policymaker. Understand their perspectives and circumstances. Make choices for them and witness the consequences. Don't be a mere spectator. Be an active decision-maker in preventing violent extremism.

  • The UN CC: Learn allows you to test your climate change IQ; get recommendations on how to improve your knowledge and skills; and build confidence to become a climate champion.
  • What's Missing is an educational game by UN SDGs that raises awareness for the goals and helps players learn how they can help achieve the goals. It involves quick question and answers about the UN SDGs.

Wild for Life: Take a Journey

UN Environment Programme’s Wild for Life can take students on a virtual journey through 6 distinct ecosystems: Oceans, Reefs, Peatlands, Savannahs, Forests and Mountains

Addressing SDG Goals 14 and 15, on the journey students will learn how they produce vital goods and services for humanity, how they are under threat and how they can help.

See the World's Largest Lesson for more information.

  • The World's Future is an SDG game developed by the United Nations that focuses on highlighting how the SDGs and the targets are linking, through an immersive social simulation.
  • 2030 SDGs game is a multi-player, in person, card based game that simulates how the world would be in 2030. Points and money are accumulated by completing SDG related tasks and learnings that will impact the state of the world. The game can be played with 5-50 players, and can span 2-2.5 hours with the explanation and reflections of the content after the play time.
  • Visit SDG Transforming Australia Project by Monash University. This infographic shares a select number of indicators, covering the breadth of the SDGs. SDG Transforming Australia Project tracks Australia’s progress on SDGs as well as highlights the potential impact of COVID-19 on Australia's ability to achieve SDG targets by 2030.

  • The illustration by Rockström and Sukhdev integrated the global goals together and deftly illustrated the biosphere foundation for global sustainability and how food links to every one of the global goals. Credit: Azote Images for Stockholm Resilience Centre). Visit The Stockholm Resilience Centre.

  • The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better. Visit SDG Services

  • "The world today faces urgent environmental threats, which include water scarcity, climate change impacts and the loss of biodiversity. Poor governance and conflict today further worsen the situation. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to respond to these challenges by adopting sustainable development as the overlaying principle for global cooperation on social inclusion, economic development and environmental sustainability. This comes with the commitment to reduce inequalities within and among countries, showcasing the clear demand for sustainable consumption and production patterns and ultimately aspires for peace, fair governance and justice". As a result, the agenda calls for action in five key themes: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships.
  • (From Jens Martens, The 2030 Agenda – a new start towards global sustainability? in Spotlight on Sustainable Development, ed. Jens Martens et al. (Beirut: Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN), Third World Network (TWN), Social Watch, Global Policy Forum (GPF) and Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), 2016), 11 8 “The United Nations Information Centre,” http://colombo.sites.unicnetwork.org/files/2015/09/SDGpics.png)

The organizations from Canada and other countries countries around the world work locally and globally, and in partnerships to achieve the goals and move the 2030 Agenda forward. See the following:

Canadian Organizations

These organizations from Canada work locally and globally, and in partnerships to achieve the goals and move the 2030 Agenda forward.

  • Alliance 2030 is a national network committed to achieving the 17 goals especially in Canada by working at local and global levels. They have several sections of SDG-related resources.. 
  • The Canadian Commission for UNESCO identifies the UNESCO priorities that are of interest in Canada - priorities that shape all efforts in Canada and internationally. Each priority includes a series of initiatives and reflects the action areas of their networks. 
  • The Council of Ministers of Education have over 50 years of Pan-Canadian leadership in education. They work to prepare students for a complex and unpredictable future with rapidly changing political, social, economic, technological, and ecological landscapes.
  • Visit the United Nations Association in Canada to learn more about Generation SDG, which works to activate civic engagement through the creation of youth-led volunteer projects that advance Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Global Organizations

  • Visit The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Education (AASHE), an association of colleges and universities working to create a sustainable future. AASHE provides resources, professional development opportunities, and a network of support to enable institutions to model and advance sustainability from governance and operations to education and research.  
  • Visit The Association for Experiential Education (AEE), a nonprofit, professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators and practitioners who utilize its philosophy. The website includes information on relevant books, articles, conferences, and other resources. 
  • Visit CANiE, a grassroots initiative and registered non-profit formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need and the opportunity for our sector to step up and act on climate. Their mission is to lead and support international educators around the world to take bold climate action by providing open access to information and networking opportunities for practitioners across the globe to connect and raise our collective ambition.
  • Visit The Centre for Ecoliteracy, which promotes the green schooling movement through its work with school gardens, school lunches, and integrating ecological principles and sustainability into school curricula. The site has books, teaching guides, professional development seminars, a sustainability leadership academy, keynote presentations and consulting services. 
  • Visit The Change Agency, an independent activist education and research project that works to achieve social and environmental justice outcomes. They have an extensive teaching and training resources library.
  • Visit Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian organization that operates in 25 of the world's poorest countries helping people improve their lives with initiatives for health and nutrition, gender equality, education, and climate and environment. 
  • Visit Culture and Sustainability Lab offers invaluable information on sustainable development and contemporary arts. It offers various resources for cultural leaders and educators and actively promotes sustainability and environmental consciousness. Their initiatives and resources could provide valuable insights for educators looking to incorporate sustainability into their curriculums.
  • Visit Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace Network Plus (CUSP) is an organization that promotes peace and sustainability. They offer a variety of resources for educators and cultural leaders, including lesson plans, case studies, and other resources. Their work is particularly relevant for those interested in promoting peace and sustainability in their classrooms.
  • Visit The Cultural Survival Organization whose work is predicated on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They engage in opportunities to leverage experience and leadership in advocacy, media, public education and programs. They provide platforms to amplify and empower the voices of Indigenous Peoples as they work to claim their rights to self-determination, their lands, cultures, and precious ecosystems essential to the whole planet. 
  • Visit Curating Tomorrow, an organization that offers resources and tools for educators and cultural leaders interested in promoting sustainability in their classrooms. They offer a variety of resources, including lesson plans, case studies, and other materials that can be used to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Their work is particularly relevant for educators interested in incorporating sustainability and social justice into their classrooms.
  • Visit DoSomething.Org a youth-activism hub that fuels young people around the globe to change the world. They have campaigns to address education, homelessness, poverty, the environment, gender rights and more.
  • Visit Earth Charter International. The Earth Charter (EC) is a document with sixteen principles powering a global movement. When you apply it to your business, school or community, you begin turning conscience into action to make all life on Earth thrive. The EC is an ethical foundation for actions to build a more just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It articulates a mindset of global interdependence and shared responsibility. It offers a vision of hope and a call to action.
  • Visit Future Earth's Urban Knowledge-Action Network. Their strategy convenes an engaged research base, focused on the co-design and co-production of knowledge and tools to provide solutions to the greatest sustainability challenges facing cities. We work to incorporate the latest research findings into government, business, and community decisions and policies. You can also watch their webinar titled 'Making sustainable food futures stick for practices, policies and palates: Stories from the FEAST.'
  • Learn about the Global Environment Facility (GEF), an international partnership that addresses global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. The GEF provides funds and fosters collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and the private sector for projects in biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, and more.
  • Visit the International Association of Universities. It was created under the auspices of UNESCO in 1950, is a membership-based organisation serving the global higher education community through: expertise & trends analysis, publications & portals, advisory services, peer-to-peer learning, events, global advocacy.
  • Visit Learning for Justice to view classroom resources, film kits, student tasks, and teaching strategies. The learning outcomes are divided into four domains—Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action. Resources include the New LGBTQ Best Practices Guide.
  • Visit Practical Action, an international organization that puts ingenious ideas to work so that people in poverty can change their world.
  • Visit Teaching for Change: Building Social Justice Starting in the Classroom for direct connections to real-world issues. Instructors and students are encouraged to question and re-think the world inside and outside of their classrooms, build a more equitable, multicultural society, and become active global citizens. 
  • Get to know The United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP28. This pivotal event unites countries to discuss and develop measures to combat climate change and promote the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COP28 represents a critical platform for international negotiation and decision-making in the global environmental landscape.
  • Visit The World Meteorological Organization. It is essential to implement an Earth system approach for the development of meteorology, climatology, operational hydrology and related environmental services. The site has educational materials related to SDG #5, gender equality, weather, climate and water. 

The following podcasts, representing both Canadian and global content, are produced by organizations that are committed to sharing and explaining the SDGs while advancing the 2030 Agenda. See the following:

Canadian Content

  • Visit Alliance 2030, a national network with a searchable database of work being done across Canada in alignment with the SDGs. Work is amplified through storytelling, blogs and a podcast series. 
  • Visit the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC), a network that engages in social justice and sustainable development issues. They work within the framework of the SDGs with an SDG Hub and podcasts. 
  • “The Right to Feel” Podcast: A Collaboration with Future Ecologies This two-episode podcast mini-series features reflections from a class. The class was shaped by discussions of climate feelings among interdisciplinary graduate students who explored the realities of climate change from both scientific and humanities perspectives. UBC Centre for Climate Justice.
    • Producer Bio: Judith (Judee) Burr is a PhD student in the Geography Program at the University of British Columbia. She is an interdisciplinary feminist scholar of the fire-prone ecosystems of Western North American and the historical geographies of power, governance, and knowledge that shape them. She produced the peer-reviewed scholarly podcast “Listening to Fire Knowledges in and around the Okanagan Valley,” which uses creative audio storytelling techniques to create a multi-vocal narration of regional fire history. It is published in the journal BC Studies, and available on podcasting platforms.

Global Content

  • Listen to Canie Climate Dialogues. The Climate Action Network connects with international education practitioners from around the world to build greater engagement and literacy around the intersection of their work and the urgent need to take action on the climate crisis. 
  • Watch the Global Goals Cast podcast hosted by Claudia Romo Edelman and Edie Lush. It inspires and empowers listeners to make the world a better place by sharing stories of those who are advancing and achieving a more sustainable world. It is an initiative by the We Are All Human Foundation dedicated to promoting diversity, radical inclusion and equity. 
  • Visit The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an independent organization that provides the world's most widely-used standards for sustainability reporting - the GRI Standards. They host a podcast series on all 17 SDGs. 
  • Visit The SDG Talks for a podcast hosted by James Armour and Kevin Sofen that highlights changemakers, people and organizations working together to achieve the goals.
  • Visit The UN SDG Learncast for insights on sustainable development learning. Their podcast series focuses on stories of individuals and organizations working on the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. 

Included below are SDG-aligned sustainable products that aim to raise awareness among teachers, students, and universities about the importance of integrating sustainability into their choices for their campus.

DefaultVeg by the Better Food Foundation

This is an innovative initiative designed to promote plant-based eating as the default option in meal planning and dining settings. By shifting the norm from meat-centric meals to plant-based choices, DefaultVeg encourages sustainable food habits that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and support better health outcomes. Educators can adopt DefaultVeg principles in campus dining services, sustainability programs, and classroom discussions on food systems, environmental science, and public health. It provides a practical framework to engage students in discussions about sustainable eating, environmental ethics, and innovative ways to integrate the SDGs into daily life and institutional policies.

This initiative aligns with Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13).

Dero 

They offer innovative bike parking and storage solutions designed to support sustainable transportation and active lifestyles. With a wide range of products, including bike racks, repair stations, and shelters, Dero promotes cycling as an accessible and eco-friendly mode of transportation while enhancing community infrastructure. Educators can incorporate Dero’s solutions into campus planning and sustainability initiatives, encouraging students and staff to choose active, low-impact transportation. Additionally, its products can serve as a tangible example in coursework on urban design, environmental science, and public health, connecting academic learning with real-world applications of sustainable practices.

This initiative is aligned with Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3).

Ecochallenge.org Store 

This provides a diverse range of resources and tools designed to inspire and empower individuals, communities, and organizations to take meaningful action toward sustainability. Offering customizable challenges, guides, and materials, the platform promotes habit formation and collective efforts to tackle global environmental and social challenges. Educators can leverage Ecochallenge resources to engage students in experiential learning, foster sustainable habits on campus, and integrate practical SDG-related activities into their curricula. From organizing sustainability challenges to incorporating real-world problem-solving into coursework, the tools available through Ecochallenge.org provide an impactful way to connect academic learning with actionable change.

This initiative is connected to Climate Action (SDG 13), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Fill It Forward 

This is a sustainable and innovative initiative that encourages individuals and organizations to reduce single-use plastic waste by reusing their drinkware. By pairing physical products like reusable bottles with a digital platform, Fill It Forward tracks users’ positive environmental impact, fosters community engagement, and funds clean water and waste-reduction projects globally. Educators can engage students in sustainability initiatives, track environmental impact on campus, and incorporate its use into courses on sustainability, environmental science, or social entrepreneurship. By connecting real-world environmental action to academic learning, Fill It Forward enhances understanding of the SDGs while inspiring collective responsibility for a sustainable future.

This initiative is connected to Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Each use of a Fill it Forward product contributes to funding clean water initiatives, promotes sustainable habits, and builds a global community committed to reducing waste.

Foodstiks

They offer disposable cutlery made entirely from natural birch wood, providing a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic utensils. Their products are 100% renewable and backyard compostable, ensuring they naturally degrade without leaving harmful residues. Educators can incorporate Foodstiks into campus dining services to foster environmental responsibility among students. Additionally, these products can serve as practical examples in courses focused on sustainability, environmental science, and waste management, illustrating the application of sustainable practices in everyday life.

This initiative aligns with Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Life Below Water (SDG 14). By reducing reliance on plastic cutlery, Foodstiks helps minimize plastic pollution, thereby protecting marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable resource use.

Frood

Food insecurity and waste is an increasingly pressing issues across college campuses in the United States and one we believe is yet to be adequately solved. Our platform suits the unique needs of posting food events - providing serving updates as food runs out, campus notifications, indicating how many people are on their way - while providing risk management safeguards that inherently comes with food.

Available across web, iOS and Android - Frood allows university students, faculty & staff to post food leftover from on-campus events or meetings. The campus community is subsequently notified to the availability of free food near them on-campus. Aligns with Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

The Growcer On Campus 

This is a modular hydroponic farming system that allows year-round cultivation of fresh produce in any climate. It supports sustainability by promoting local food production, reducing food miles, and addressing food security. Educators can use this platform to teach concepts like sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental science while giving students hands-on experience in growing food sustainably. Aligned with Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13), The Growcer On Campus promotes sustainable practices, local supply chains, and carbon footprint reduction. It also supports Quality Education (SDG 4) by offering a hands-on platform for experiential learning, research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in fields such as agriculture, sustainability, and business innovation.

Ozzi

Ozzi is a system for the food service industry. The innovative technology eliminates the need for traditional disposable take-out containers, making it a perfect fit for college and university campus dining centers, healthcare facilities, hotels, restaurants, food courts, supermarkets, quick service venues, and sports and entertainment arenas.

OZZI is making a difference wherever food and beverages are served “to-go” in paper, plastic, and foam containers. By promoting sustainable and ecologically-minded reusable containers, OZZI is leading the way in transforming the world from a disposable society to a nation that cares about the environment. The mission at OZZI has always been to create an environmentally conscious, user-friendly, and 100% effective system that eliminates disposable products generated from food service operations and aligns with Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13) and Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3).

Pesticide Industrial Complex News

This an informative blog that critically examines the intersection of the pesticide industry, public health, and environmental sustainability. By providing insights into the global impacts of pesticide use, the blog highlights issues such as regulatory challenges, ecological harm, and the disproportionate effects on marginalized communities. It serves as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of industrial agriculture and its consequences. Educators can use this blog to support coursework and discussions in environmental studies, public health, and social justice.

This blog aligns with the Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). By addressing the environmental and social implications of pesticide dependency, the blog advocates for more sustainable agricultural practices and regulatory reform.

Recycle Coach

The mission is to make waste and recycling information easy to find and understand, so no one is left wondering: "where does this go?" With nearly 25 years in the industry, we’re proud to partner with thousands of municipalities across North America, and millions of residents looking to help make our planet a little bit greener.

Stanford BDLA

The Stanford Building Decarbonization Learning Accelerator offers teaching tools for university and college educators to prepare the next generation of building professionals.

Teachers can access case studies, slide decks, videos, exercises, reading materials and other resources to seamlessly build decarbonization into their existing courses about sustainable buildings, or create a brand new course focused on this topic.

Building decarbonization is the single most important paradigm shift in construction since the introduction of LED lighting or the LEED rating system.  Teaching is the key to unlocking this transformation.

Zabble Inc. 

This is a cutting-edge waste management platform that empowers organizations to achieve zero-waste goals through data-driven solutions. By using AI technology and advanced analytics, Zabble streamlines waste audits, tracks waste diversion efforts, and identifies opportunities to reduce landfill contributions. Its mobile-friendly platform allows users to monitor progress in real time, promoting accountability and operational efficiency. Educators can integrate Zabble’s platform into their sustainability programs and curricula, providing students with hands-on learning in waste auditing, data analysis, and sustainable practices. The platform can also facilitate campus-wide initiatives to reduce waste, fostering a culture of sustainability and connecting students to real-world applications of the SDGs.

This platform is aligned with Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

The resources below offer instructor materials from organizations that have created an abundance of SDG-curated content in formats such as toolkits, roadmaps and guides.

SDG Guides

  • Read OXFAM's Teaching Controversial Issues: A Guide for Teachers. The guide explores what controversial issues are, reasons for teaching controversial issues, the value of a global citizenship education approach, guidance and classroom strategies for handling and exploring controversial issues and some practical activities for teaching controversial issues.
  • Delve into the World Bank Atlas that illuminates the role of data in the implementation of the SDGs.
  • The University of Bern's Centre for Development and Environment has created a facilitator guide Addressing Inner Dimensions for Sustainability in Higher Education by Lewis AL, Providoli I, Sundermann A, Frank A, Fischer D, Frank P, Studer M, Tormey R, Trechsel LJ, Wamsler C.
    • As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the importance of inner dimensions for sustainable development is becoming increasingly clear. Scholars suggest that these core aspects – which include mindsets, emotions, values, and self-awareness – are critical in shaping the ways individuals interact sustainably with themselves, with one another, and with earth.
    • This Facilitator Guide is aimed at Higher Education faculty from diverse disciplines, and leads you through a course entitled “Addressing Inner Dimensions for Sustainability in Higher Education”. By “faculty” we mean members of the teaching staff at an HEI, and we use this term throughout the guide. Specifically, the course is aimed at HEI faculty interested in expanding their sustainability knowledge and perspectives, integrating sustainability into their teaching practices, and enhancing their sustainability-related teaching approach by addressing inner dimensions.

SDG Toolkits

  • Read the Action on Global Citizenship Toolkit  by Global Action Plan (GAP) Ireland. There are several classroom activities for teaching specific goals, guiding questions and useful links to other resource material.
  • Explore the Culture for SDGs Toolkit. It is a practical guide for the UN SDGs for cultural and heritage organizations in Canada. The toolkit was developed by Paolo Granata for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. "Cultural and heritage organizations across Canada have a vital role to play in addressing the planet’s greatest challenges and creating a sustainable future."
  • Visit the Digital SDG Swag Bag resources from the EDCan Network of SDG for instructors who are beginning to infuse the SDGs.
  • Visit Faculty for a Future and search the Seed Library It is a searchable database of open-access educational resources that can support educators and students by integrating sustainability into discipline-specific teaching and learning. Search by issue, discipline, resource type and characteristic.
  • Visit Gaia Education for resources such as webinars, handbooks and SDG flashcards. These resources provide guidance on the subjects that are directly related to achieving SDGs. Gaia Education is a leading provider of sustainability education that promotes thriving communities within planetary boundaries.
  • Mobilizing Youth for the Sustainable Development Goals has an interactive toolkit created by youth, for youth, as a means of sharing student knowledge and amplifying national youth action on the SDGs. It is intended to be a guide for post-secondary students looking to grow or start a Sustainable Development Goals Alliance on their campus and for instructors wishing to support youth.  
  • Visit UNESCO for their Education for sustainable development (ESD) 2030 Roadmap and Toolbox. 
  • Read the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Teacher’s Resource Book that contains lesson plans, activities, learning outcomes, objectives, materials, and links to resources related to teaching each SDG. 

SDG Take Action and Nudging

  • 30 Self Nudges for the SDGs is an SDG i-Level Project that launched the Self-Nudging Online Toolkit for University Staff on SDGs. Self-Nudges help remind university teachers and staff of the relevance of their work to the SDGs, prompting them to think about sustainable development, apply this mental framework to their work and as a result create more contributions to SDGs while feeling better about what they do. A continuous and reinforced engagement with the SDGs will create a mindset conducive to forging new individual contributions to sustainable development and the SDGs.
  • Visit the 170 Daily Actions to Transform our World document that describes 170 actions youth and students can take for each of the 17 SDGs. 
  • The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments has a Roadmap for localizing. It supports cities and regions to deliver the 2030 agenda and has 5 parts: awareness-raising, advocacy, implementation, monitoring and where do we go from here? 
  • Visit Local 2030: Localizing the SDGs Toolbox. This site has resources and a library available for tools and solutions to achieve the SDGs at the local level. 

Included below are SDG-aligned sustainable products to raise awareness among teachers, students, and universities about the importance of integrating sustainability into their choices.



Default Veg Logo
DefaultVeg by the Better Food Foundation
This is an innovative initiative designed to promote plant-based eating as the default option in meal planning and dining settings. By shifting the norm from meat-centric meals to plant-based choices, DefaultVeg encourages sustainable food habits that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and support better health outcomes. Educators can adopt DefaultVeg principles in campus dining services, sustainability programs, and classroom discussions on food systems, environmental science, and public health. It provides a practical framework to engage students in discussions about sustainable eating, environmental ethics, and innovative ways to integrate the SDGs into daily life and institutional policies.
This initiative aligns with Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13).


Dero bike racks and bicycles hanging on the wall
Dero 
They offer innovative bike parking and storage solutions designed to support sustainable transportation and active lifestyles. With a wide range of products, including bike racks, repair stations, and shelters, Dero promotes cycling as an accessible and eco-friendly mode of transportation while enhancing community infrastructure. Educators can incorporate Dero’s solutions into campus planning and sustainability initiatives, encouraging students and staff to choose active, low-impact transportation. Additionally, its products can serve as a tangible example in coursework on urban design, environmental science, and public health, connecting academic learning with real-world applications of sustainable practices.
This initiative is aligned with Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3).




Ecochallenge.org Store 
This provides a diverse range of resources and tools designed to inspire and empower individuals, communities, and organizations to take meaningful action toward sustainability. Offering customizable challenges, guides, and materials, the platform promotes habit formation and collective efforts to tackle global environmental and social challenges. Educators can leverage Ecochallenge resources to engage students in experiential learning, foster sustainable habits on campus, and integrate practical SDG-related activities into their curricula. From organizing sustainability challenges to incorporating real-world problem-solving into coursework, the tools available through Ecochallenge.org provide an impactful way to connect academic learning with actionable change.
This initiative is connected to Climate Action (SDG 13), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).




Fill It Forward 
This is a sustainable and innovative initiative that encourages individuals and organizations to reduce single-use plastic waste by reusing their drinkware. By pairing physical products like reusable bottles with a digital platform, Fill It Forward tracks users’ positive environmental impact, fosters community engagement, and funds clean water and waste-reduction projects globally. Educators can engage students in sustainability initiatives, track environmental impact on campus, and incorporate its use into courses on sustainability, environmental science, or social entrepreneurship. By connecting real-world environmental action to academic learning, Fill It Forward enhances understanding of the SDGs while inspiring collective responsibility for a sustainable future.
This initiative is connected to Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Each use of a Fill it Forward product contributes to funding clean water initiatives, promotes sustainable habits, and builds a global community committed to reducing waste.



Foodstiks
They offer disposable cutlery made entirely from natural birch wood, providing a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic utensils. Their products are 100% renewable and backyard compostable, ensuring they naturally degrade without leaving harmful residues. Educators can incorporate Foodstiks into campus dining services to foster environmental responsibility among students. Additionally, these products can serve as practical examples in courses focused on sustainability, environmental science, and waste management, illustrating the application of sustainable practices in everyday life.
This initiative aligns with Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Life Below Water (SDG 14). By reducing reliance on plastic cutlery, Foodstiks helps minimize plastic pollution, thereby protecting marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable resource use.




The Growcer On Campus 
This is a modular hydroponic farming system that allows year-round cultivation of fresh produce in any climate. It supports sustainability by promoting local food production, reducing food miles, and addressing food security. Educators can use this platform to teach concepts like sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental science while giving students hands-on experience in growing food sustainably. Aligned with Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13), The Growcer On Campus promotes sustainable practices, local supply chains, and carbon footprint reduction. It also supports Quality Education (SDG 4) by offering a hands-on platform for experiential learning, research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in fields such as agriculture, sustainability, and business innovation.



Pesticide Industrial Complex News
This an informative blog that critically examines the intersection of the pesticide industry, public health, and environmental sustainability. By providing insights into the global impacts of pesticide use, the blog highlights issues such as regulatory challenges, ecological harm, and the disproportionate effects on marginalized communities. It serves as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of industrial agriculture and its consequences. Educators can use this blog to support coursework and discussions in environmental studies, public health, and social justice.
This blog aligns with the Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). By addressing the environmental and social implications of pesticide dependency, the blog advocates for more sustainable agricultural practices and regulatory reform.







Zabble Inc. 
This is a cutting-edge waste management platform that empowers organizations to achieve zero-waste goals through data-driven solutions. By using AI technology and advanced analytics, Zabble streamlines waste audits, tracks waste diversion efforts, and identifies opportunities to reduce landfill contributions. Its mobile-friendly platform allows users to monitor progress in real time, promoting accountability and operational efficiency. Educators can integrate Zabble’s platform into their sustainability programs and curricula, providing students with hands-on learning in waste auditing, data analysis, and sustainable practices. The platform can also facilitate campus-wide initiatives to reduce waste, fostering a culture of sustainability and connecting students to real-world applications of the SDGs.
This platform is aligned with Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

  • Watch the Leave No One Behind video developed by The Leave No One Behind Partnership and supported by UKaid. It is a short, inspiring video which focuses on the commitment of Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Visit the Planetary Health Film Lab where 4 Indigenous youth from the Canadian north portray environmental issues in their communities with the common theme of water. There is still and motion photography and interviews with local elders, residents, researchers, and planetary health experts. Profiles of Indigenous perspectives, impacts, and solutions to planetary health issues in their communities are examined from different approaches. Each film runs between three and seven minutes in length. Watch the 4 films.
  • Visit Reimagine Sustainability to find resources and articles to help you become a change agent and apply sustainability principles in your life as teacher or student through concept, mindset and action.
  • Visit the Wakelet SDG page for lesson plans, links, videos, student challenges, activities, infographics and tasks for all of the 17 SDGs.

These websites have video content that instructors can use to support lessons, projects, assignments and more. 

  • Visit The Global Oneness Project, a free multimedia platform for educators and students for immersive storytelling and curricula to explore deeper issues facing humanity. Use award-winning films, photo essays, and essays to learn about social, cultural, and environmental issues from people and communities worldwide. The stories and lessons encourage students to broaden their perspectives and worldviews while fostering inquiry, empathy, resilience, and a sacred relationship to our planet. 
  • Watch Makematic's 909 animated and live-action videos focused on global learning for teachers and students. They feature instructional practice tips from 21st-century educators along with animated live-action films exploring the 17 SDGs for students.
  • Visit The Moth for live story-telling events that are community- and global-based. There are free resources for educators and students along with podcasts, stories, photos and more. 
  • Watch The Universal Declaration of Human Rights video from The World's Largest Lesson. The video was made by composer Max Richter with actors reading Article One of the Declaration related to SDGs #4, #10 and #16. 

Discover discipline-specific materials for the SDGs

Explore our library of SDG materials, specific to each discipline.

Discipline-specific materials