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Business & The Environment - ENV00050M

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Simon Mair
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to the practical management of environmental issues in a business context. The teaching places an emphasis on employability skills.

Note that there is a limit on the number of students permitted to take this module as it includes an industrial site visit where the number of visitors is restricted.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

Using a problem-based learning format the module aims to:

  • Explore the drivers for businesses to address their environmental aspects and impacts;
  • Examine the practical application of selected environmental regulations commonly affecting manufacturing businesses;
  • Build an awareness of techniques and tools commonly deployed in the management of environmental issues in a business context;
  • Develop an understanding of the principles underpinning the design and development of more environmentally sustainable products and processes;
  • Explain key facets of project management (e.g. risk and financial management);
  • Develop skills and competences relevant to working as an environmental professional in a consultancy or industry context.

Module learning outcomes

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Present a compelling business case for improving environmental performance;
  • Lead or contribute to a team-based consultancy project, from concept to reporting, advising on a ‘real world’ environmental sustainability problem;
  • Critically analyse a product/process/business model from an environmental sustainability perspective and make proposals for improvement;
  • Identify some key environmental regulatory compliance requirements applicable to a manufacturing business;
  • Understand how to manage some of the more important aspects of project risk;
  • Deploy some basic skills and competencies pertinent to working as an environmental professional.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Project report		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative input on group projects will be provided orally through an interim project meeting with each group.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay / report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback on the report will be provided in the form of written comments (copied to each individual) at standard turnaround times (4 weeks).

Feedback on the presentation/report will be provided individually at standard turnaround times (4 weeks)

Indicative reading

  • Brady, Ebbage & Lunn: "Environmental Management in Organisations: The IEMA Handbook", 2013, Francis & Taylor;
  • Elkington & Zeitz: "The Breakthrough Challenge - Ten Ways to Connect Today's Profit with Tomorrow's Bottom Line", 2014, Wiley;
  • Hitchcock & Willard: "The Business Guide to Sustainability: Practical Strategies and Tools for Organisations", 2nd Edition, July 2009, Routledge;
  • Meadows: "Thinking in Systems: a Primer", 2008, Earthscan;
  • von Weizsacker, Hargroves et al: "Factor Five: Transforming the Global Economy Through 80% Improvements in Resource Productivity", December 2009, Routledge;
  • Welford & Starkey (ed): "The Earthscan Reader in Business & Sustainable Development", 2000, Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.