Studying at York
Business & The Environment - ENV00050M
- Department: Environment and Geography
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
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.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 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.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 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.