Discover how land, livestock, and circular economy thinking can shape sustainable food systems and LCA innovation.

Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
4 hoursLanguages
English, Español, Italiano, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Español, Italiano100% online
How it worksDigital upgrade
Free
Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Land, Livestock & Climate Solutions
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Rethink the future of food, farming, and sustainability
Food systems shape every part of global life, from the health of our soils and landscapes to the future of climate resilience, resource use, and sustainable development.
On this online course from Aberystwyth University, you’ll examine how agrifood systems work and how they can be redesigned to support healthier ecosystems, more resilient farming practices, and more sustainable futures.
Moving from supply systems to soils, livestock, and sustainability measurement, the course introduces key ideas that connect environmental health, circular economy thinking, and land-based climate solutions.
Examine how agrifood supply systems work
Begin by unpacking what an agrifood supply system is and how different parts of the system connect, from production and land use to wider environmental and social impacts.
You’ll consider how food systems sit within broader sustainability challenges, including climate change, resource pressure, and the need to support more responsible production.
This foundation helps frame agrifood not as a single industry, but as a living system shaped by people, landscapes, policy, and climate.
Investigate soils, grasslands, and livestock futures
You’ll examine how living land systems can be designed and managed to support biodiversity, resilience, and long-term productivity.
From there, attention moves to livestock systems, considering how animal agriculture can be understood, improved, and reimagined within the context of sustainable development and climate solutions.
Measure impact through circular economy thinking
Lastly, on this course you’ll focus on how sustainability impacts are measured and communicated. The course introduces approaches to assessing environmental impact, resource use, and sustainability performance across agrifood systems.
Syllabus
Week 1
Foundations of Sustainable AgriFood Systems
Welcome to Sustainable Agrifood Systems
Welcome and Course Orientation
Why Agrifood Systems Matter
Why Agrifood Systems Matter
Systems Thinking in Practice
Systems Thinking in Practice
Living Land Systems
Living Land Systems
Designing Living Land Systems
Designing Living Land Systems
Week 2
Sustainable Livestock Systems
Understanding Livestock Systems
Understanding Livestock Systems
Designing Sustainable Livestock Systems
Designing Sustainable Livestock Systems
Reflecting on Livestock Futures
Reflecting on Livestock Futures
Circular Economy and Sustainability Futures
Circular Economy and Sustainability Futures
Understanding Sustainability Measurement
Understanding Sustainability Measurement
Consolidating Your Learning
Consolidating Your Learning
Reflecting on Sustainability Futures
Reflecting on Sustainability Futures
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain key environmental, economic and social pressures affecting food and rural systems (population growth, resource constraints, climate change)
- Evaluate sustainable solutions across the land‑based, food‑processing and supply‑chain continuum
- Assess livestock health, welfare, nutrition and grazing strategies for sustainable farming
- Apply sustainability metrics to decision‑making e.g. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Who is the course for?
This course is for learners interested in sustainable development, agrifood systems, environmental health, farming, land management, and climate solutions. It may also suit professionals working in agriculture, sustainability, policy, or food-related sectors.
Who will you learn with?
I'm the Lecturer in Food Science at IBERS Distance Learning. I'm a Physics Graduate with over 15 years' experience in the Food Industry, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
I currently work in the field of agricultural research dissemination with a focus on technological innovations and a keen interest in environmental sustainability.
Based at Aberystwyth University, Sarah is a lecturer for IBERS Distance Learning and co-ordinates a number of modules aimed at the agri-food and environment sector.
My background is in livestock nutrition and my interests include environmental sustainability of livestock production, sustainability and climate change in relation to agriculture and livestock.
What's included?
Aberystwyth University are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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