The Consumer Law module thus advances SDG 4 (4.7), which, among other topics, focuses on strengthening education for sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles and responsible citizenship.

Associate Professor Marie Jull Sørensen, who teaches the consumer law module, says: "The idea of including sustainability in the teaching of consumer law is to get students to reflect on how law can be used as a catalyst for sustainability and what challenges this entails. Consumer law has many purposes such as market regulation and social and economic protection. But in addition, consumer law can also be used to guide the behaviour of consumers as well as traders. For example, the legislator can lay down rules that repair  must always be attempted before replacement - if repair are deemed to be the most viable. Students find that sustainability requires sacrificing some existing consumer rights, but they also find that the law depends entirely on answers to what is sustainable. If the legislation is to steer us towards sustainability, it is essential to know whether repair is actually more sustainable than replacement!"

During the session, students brainstorm what they think of when someone talks about 'sustainability' and 'circular economy’. They also have to consider whether they themselves are aware of sustainability and the environment in their everyday lives and discuss what prevents them from making sustainable choices. Finally, students identify elements/paragraphs in current consumer protection legislation that directly and indirectly support and discourage the students from making sustainable choices.