Overview

This is a highly applied module upskilling you in a systematic response to sustainability. It will explore the many aspects of how businesses and organisations impact on the environment and how to address these challenges positively and pragmatically. A thorough understanding of the principles of sustainable development and environmental management will be developed, including auditing and assessment and exploring policy and legislation. Some or all of the following monitoring tools will be covered - Initial Environmental Reviews, Environmental Management Systems, Energy Audits, Lifecycle Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Guest speakers from industry give an up to the minute perspective and case studies are used to analyse different techniques including scenarios from many different levels (local, UK, and international) so that comparisons can be made and the validity of systems assessed.

There is a strong practical element, where students develop skills in energy and environmental auditing and carry out an environmental review. A field trip ties together themes explored and provides an opportunity to meet sustainability professionals working in the field.

This module is approved by the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) - the global membership body for anyone wanting sustainable change that delivers across government, business and society.

Specific topics include: •Global environmental issues •Earth’s systems and sustainability •Environmental policy and legislation •Energy management for organisations •Environmental management systems (e.g., ISO14001:2015, EMAS) •Environmental auditing and monitoring •Managing change for sustainability •Communicating environmental performance

Assessment Strategy

Threshold -(C)The student displays a basic understanding of the principles and practices of environmental management; in addition to the policy and legislative frameworks within which they can operate. Most of the key issues are identified but there may be some omissions or gaps in understanding. Links between theory and practice are not well developed.

Good -(B)In addition to the above: the student should demonstrate an understanding of the principles of appropriate monitoring tools and the relevant policy and legislative frameworks within which they operate. They should also display an understanding of how such environmental management requirements influence current practice by private and public bodies. The student is able to evaluate and compare different methods of environmental monitoring tools.

Excellent -(A) The student demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the different aspects of environmental management. There are no major areas omitted and the student demonstrates an ability to critically analyse and evaluate relevant information. Evidence of considerable effort and thought to construct management plans for a given scenario of high standard, demonstrating an excellent grasp of all major issues.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate key environmental policy and legislative issues, and compliance measures

• Be able to analyse environmental problems (including data analysis) and opportunities and identify sustainable solutions and improvement programmes

• Be able to apply key environmental management and assessment tools

• Understand environmental and sustainability principles in a business context

• Understand the importance of stakeholder communication as well as how to influence behaviour to effect change within an organisation