Companies can gain a competitive advantage by managing environmental, social and governance issues in a systematic and well-documented manner: it allows them to adapt proactively to demands of key stakeholders (regulators, customers, investors, society as a whole), manage operational risks, and develop business strategies that are more sustainable in the long run. The course will introduce participants to modern environmental management instruments and sustainable reporting standards. The course will consist of four parts:

·       Conceptual foundations (sustainable development, ecological and eco-efficiency, life cycle assessment, corporate social responsibility (CSR), triple bottom line),

·       Sustainability reporting (environmental accounting and reporting, CSR reporting, environmental/social/governance (ESG) disclosure),

·       Corporate environmental management systems (ISO14001, EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), Eco-Lighthouse Scheme, the certification process, costs and benefits), 

·       Sustainable finance (sustainable investment approaches such as exclusions, best-in-class, ESG integration, impact investing, and their performance).

Hands-on work on real and current cases is a key part of the course. Participants will work in teams    on a semester-long project assignment in which they analyse the environmental management strategy of a private or public company and develop suggestions for improvement and future development.

Knowledge

·       Understand the conceptual foundations of environmental management and sustainability reporting,

·       Know how to address the demands of customers, regulators and investors through appropriate environmental management instruments and reporting routines,

·       Be familiar with corporate environmental management systems such as ISO14001 and EMAS,

·       Know the empirical relationships between the environmental management and reporting practices of a company and its financial performance.

Skills

·       Be able to plan and implement environmental management projects in a company,

·       Be able to develop indicator systems and routines for the sustainability reporting of a company,

·       Be able to produce environmental reports and CSR reports for a company.

·       Be able to compile ESG information for potential investors,

General competences

·       Work in interdisciplinary and cross-functional project teams.

Borglund, T., H. De Geer and S. Sweet (2017): CSR and Sustainable Business. 1st edition. Sanoma Utbildning, Stockholm, Sweden. 366 p.

In addition, the readings will include a selection of journal articles and case studies. Details will be announced on the web page of the course in the beginning of the semester.