We are surrounded by so much discussion of sustainability that it can sometimes become overwhelming. Important questions include: What role can business have in ensuring the sustainability of the planet? How should business work with society to preserve the environment? These questions will be answered in this course as we explore the meaning of sustainability and its impact on modern organisations as they move to circular ideas to reduce waste, increase recycling and become fit for our modern society. In the course you will not only learn about the role of business in sustainability, but also your own personal contribution.
In addition to environmental issues we will also reflect on how employees are pressuring firms to see themselves as a positive part of the wider society. The specific topics we will cover include: Paris Climate Accord, Carbon Footprint, the circular economy, reverse logistics, recycling strategies, right to repair, Corporate Social Responsibility, Bottom of the Pyramid and developing economies, and fair trade business models. By the end of the course, your understanding of sustainability and business's relationship with society will have increased considerably. You will develop new skills in research and analysis and will have lots of new ideas to take away with you and apply in your own organisation and your own working life.
This week includes: outlining the structure of the course, exploring the nature of sustainability, assessing your own green credentials, discussing the future of business in a circular economy.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 3 minutes
Week 1 Introduction•3 minutes
8 readings•Total 115 minutes
Course structure and navigation•5 minutes
Learn effectively this course•5 minutes
What is climate change?•20 minutes
Paris Agreement on climate change and political changes•20 minutes
What are food miles?•20 minutes
How the myth of food miles hurts the planet?•20 minutes
What is the circular economy?•20 minutes
Week 1 Summary•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Week 1 Test your understanding•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
Leading firms in the circular economy•15 minutes
Week 2: Recycling and reverse logistics
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
This week includes: discussing the circular economy, explaining reverse logistics, defining recycling, introducing Green Legislation.
What's included
3 videos10 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 12 minutes
Reverse logistics•3 minutes
The problems of reverse logistics•4 minutes
Growing green legislation•5 minutes
10 readings•Total 140 minutes
Week 2 introduction•5 minutes
Rheaply's case study - an overview•5 minutes
Rheaply's case study - part 1•20 minutes
Rheaply's case study - part 2•20 minutes
Nespresso's case study - an overview•5 minutes
Nespresso's case study - part 1•20 minutes
Nespresso's case study - part 2•20 minutes
New regulations, right to repair•20 minutes
What is the right to repair movement?•20 minutes
Week 2 Summary•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Week 2 Test your understanding•15 minutes
Week 3: Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
This week includes: developing an understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR), measuring CSR and introducing the concept of the bottom of the pyramid.
What's included
2 videos6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 8 minutes
Bottom of the pyramid•4 minutes
Week 3 Summary•4 minutes
6 readings•Total 100 minutes
Week 3 Introduction•5 minutes
Investigating corporate responsibility•20 minutes
CSR in India during COVID-19•20 minutes
Exploring and comparing ESG ratings•20 minutes
Sainsbury’s case study - an overview•5 minutes
Sainsbury’s case study - part 1•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Week 3 Test your understanding•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
Interpreting ESG ratings•20 minutes
Prepare for a degree
Taking this course by University of London may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.
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Prepare for a degree
Taking this course by University of London may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.
The University of London is a federal University which includes 17 world leading Colleges. With extensive experience in distance learning since 1858, University of London has enriched the lives of thousands of students, delivering high quality degrees across the globe. Today, University of London is a global leader in flexible study, offering degree programmes to over 45,000 students in over 190 countries, delivering world-leading research across the world. To find out more about University of London, visit www.london.ac.uk
Royal Holloway, University of London, is ranked in the top 30 universities in the UK (Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2018) and the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2017-18).
The university was founded by two social reformers who pioneered the ideal of education and knowledge for all who could benefit. Their vision lives on today. As one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities Royal Holloway is home to some of the world’s foremost authorities in the sciences, arts, business, economics and law.
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