BUS311 Environmental Management and Sustainability Reporting

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

The student

• has advanced knowledge of reporting methods for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) sustainability

• has in-depth knowledge of environmental management systems

• can apply knowledge in evaluating environmental management and sustainability reporting routines which takes into account demands from customers, environmental authorities and investors.

• can analyse the sustainability reporting of companies and organisations

Skills

The student

• can analyse and be critical of sustainability reporting of firms and organisations

• can analyse and compile ESG information for potential investors

• can use relevant data to develop indicator systems and routines for sustainability reporting in a company

• can conduct analyses of how companies can improve their environmental management and sustainability reporting

General competence

The student

• can analyse relevant sustainability challenges for companies

• can apply her/his knowledge and skills to develop sustainability reports

• can communicate about environmental management and sustainability reporting

• can contribute to make project teams work inter-disciplinary and cross-functional