Course content

The course departs from the principles of UNs Global Compact, the Global Reporting Initiatives GRI and Corporate Social Responsibility CSR, national and international environmental status and policy. It gives further insight into how environmental requirement from customers, authorities and other stakeholder in industrial networks and society impact the organization’s situation regarding competitiveness in a life cycle perspective. It further includes environmental management, CSR, legislation, international standards like EMAS and ISO-14000-standards. Special attention is given to tools for environmental management like environmental analyses, LCA, environmental accounting, performance indicators, business environmental, sustainability reporting, environmental product declarations and auditing methodology. The system perspective is fundamental for the understanding of the interactions between the companies and the society wherein they operate.

Learning outcome

The subject shall give knowledge, understanding and skills to support the endeavours for sustainability, better environmental management and industrial practise under the vision of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. The subject shall give understanding of ethical dilemmas and show connections between environmental and social responcibility in global value chains.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and group based student works like lecturer, presentations and project work / field work connected to a company. Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes a final written exam (60%) and exercises (40%). The results for the parts are given in %-scores, while the entire portfolio is assigned a letter grade. Postponed/repeated exams may be oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is compulsory for students in the master programme of Safety, Health and Environment, and can be choosen by students at the Indecol programme.

Course materials

Is given at semester start.

Credit reductions