4: Changing Education for Sustainability: The Sustainability Pressure Cooker

The Sustainability Pressure Cooker (SPC) is a dynamic educational model designed to engage students and organisations in tackling complex sustainability challenges, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12): Responsible Consumption and Production. Developed at Rotterdam Business School in 2012, the SPC blends design thinking, systems thinking, and rapid prototyping within a five-day, hands-on format. Multidisciplinary student teams collaborate with external partners to address real-world ‘wicked problems’ and pitch their tested solutions to the problem owner. Initially part of the Master in Consultancy and Entrepreneurship programme, the SPC has since expanded into an internationally transferable model. Over 1,000 students and 11 external organisations have participated, including partners from government, business, and civil society. Its flexible design has enabled successful implementation in Brazil, New Zealand, and Lithuania, demonstrating the model’s adaptability and global relevance.

This chapter introduces the SPC as a replicable format for education for sustainability. It explores the model’s structure, methodology, and strategic alignment with SDG12, while also highlighting the collaborative processes that drive its educational and societal impact. Practical examples and a step-by-step guide offer a roadmap for higher education institutions (HEIs) seeking to integrate similar project-based, sustainability-oriented approaches into their teaching practice. The SPC not only promotes responsible business mindsets but also fosters intercultural collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world impact – making it a timely contribution to the evolving landscape of sustainability education.