course-schedule

Concepts and tools of sustainability management (Seminar)

Termin:
wöchentlich | Dienstag | 10:15 - 11:45 | 04.04.2022 - 08.07.2022 | C 11.308 Seminarraum

Inhalt: Concepts and Tools for Sustainability Management (English Seminar): This seminar provides an overview of concepts and tools that support management in meeting challenges of corporate sustainability. Key sustainability management tools are presented individually and according to their application in a range of business functions (e.g. production, marketing, strategic management, etc.). Benchmarking, quality circles, scenario analysis and stakeholder dialogue are examples of instruments, which are more narrowly defined and aim to achieve a specific objective of sustainability management. Concepts represent broader approaches that coordinate and integrate specific instruments to achieve a group of objectives in multiple business functions. Important concepts are for instance the sustainability balanced scorecard and environmental management systems. On the other hand, systems involve multiple stages in the management process and serve the structural designing of sustainability management, such as a sustainability-oriented incentive system. The aim of this seminar is not only to gain an understanding of such tools but also to become aware of their application throughout a range of business functions. Each week, a different business function will be discussed. The course work includes group presentations and seminar papers, in which the sustainability management tools will be discussed based on their strengths and weaknesses to meet sustainability management challenges as well as their application in various functional areas.

Corporate Sustainability Leadership in Global Companies (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Rodney Irwin

Inhalt: Sustainability means many different things to different people yet in spite of differing definitions it is enjoying a continuous growth in popularity. In the past 15+ years many Multi National Corporation’s (MNC’s) have embraced the concept to various levels of complexity. Unilever, BASF, Siemens, to name but a few have all been acknowledged as leaders in the field. Their CEO’s are visionaries in the pursuit of sustainable outcomes and in the process have set targets and ambitions not traditionally associated with a profit seeking enterprise. Others such as Volkswagen, BP, BHS and some pharmaceutical companies have not faired so well in light of scandals destroying their reputation.. In this course we will examine the environmental and social origins of what we now call Corporate Sustainability. We will begin by gaining insight into the (social) scientific foundation for the world’s most pressing problems. Utilizing examples from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and other sources, we will critically evaluate how sustainability can create growth opportunities whilst generating value for society at large. Throughout the course we will explore what makes a leader a sustainability leader and reflect upon these ideas in each session. Students can expect to engage in role-play, gaming and simulations throughout the course as well as self-reflection. The course will cover the following themes • The origins of sustainable development and the role of business. In this theme we will look at the history of the modern corporation, the roles of businesses and duties of directors and corporate governance in different jurisdictions. Moving forward we will then explore the relationship with classical economics of the firm and social responsibility. The trends in natural and social science that have given rise to the Sustainable Development agenda (MDG’s SDG’s) etc. and the business case for engagement is undertaken. The WBCSD’s Vision 2050 ambition and Action 2020 strategy will serve as a case and will introduce you to the updated Vision 2050 just launched in March 2021. • Business Response to the SD agenda. Through the use of case studies, report reviews and other sources students will critically examine the range of activities MNC’s have and are currently engaged in, in the pursuit of creating sustainable outcomes to address climate change, social and environmental impacts. • Supporting Business Engagement Many tools, frameworks and standards have been developed to support businesses. In this theme we will critically examine a selection of tools that support decision making and strategy such as the Natural Capital Protocol, the Social Capital Protocol, Life Cycle Analysis, Reporting – The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Integrated Reporting (IR), The Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). • Sustainability Leadership What makes a leader a sustainability leader? This theme will use activities to help students examine their leadership style and though simulations, gaming and group activities allow students to challenge assumptions, try new ideas and techniques and develop new skills.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Hendrike Clouting

Termin:
wöchentlich | Dienstag | 14:15 - 17:45 | 04.04.2022 - 08.07.2022 | C 12.112 Seminarraum

Inhalt: Environmental Assessment (EA) aims at the integration of all significant environmental and social consequences of specified proposed activities into formal decision making and at the provision of relevant information and the involvement of stakeholders and the public. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal process of identifying, predicting and evaluating the impacts of a proposed project or development on the environment and society. EIA is legally binding for specified projects in almost all national legislations worldwide. It is therefore the most commonly applied environmental planning and management instrument. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) at the higher policy and planning level is becoming increasingly important over the last decade. Against a progressing development pressure of a growing world population, an important objective of EA is to avoid or mitigate negative impacts and to enhance positive impacts. Both EIA and SEA contribute to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related global environmental policies. This course is relevant for students interested in tasks of environmental authorities, environmental consultancies and NGOs. It links to the themes of environmental governance, spatial and sectoral planning, implementation of sustainable development goals, and public participation. The course is of transdisciplinary nature with contents from spatial, natural and social sciences, urban and transport planning, energy and water management. Topics addressed during this course are: • Evolution and legislation of Environmental impact assessment (EIA) at project level • Purpose and process of EIA • Tools and methods in EIA • Public participation in EIA • Evolution and legislation of Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) at policy, programme and plan levels • SEA process, contents and methods • Effectiveness of EIA • Capacity development in EIA • EIA best practice guidance, quality control and review • Case studies of EIA and SEA implementation in EU countries and abroad

Course Schedule

Lehrveranstaltungen

Concepts and tools of sustainability management (Seminar)

Corporate Sustainability Leadership in Global Companies (Seminar)

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) (Seminar)