Postgraduate Course: Climate Change and Business (PGGE11273)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Climate change is a significant strategic challenge for businesses, creating risks but also opportunities. This course will examine the role of business and industry in relation to climate change mitigation, risk and adaptation and students will engage in critical topics that go beyond traditional corporate social responsibility. |
| Course description |
Addressing the climate crisis requires investment and leadership from the business sector across the globe. In this course, we will examine the management practices and tools that can help businesses find a path through the changing social, economic, and political landscape in which they operate. To succeed in such a complex and ever-changing world, there is a need for business practitioners and other stakeholders (such as NGOs, government, media and the general public) to have a deeper understanding of the present and future implications of climate change for business.
The aims of this course are to provide you with the opportunity to explore, analyse, and communicate the various impacts climate change brings to the business world, ways in which businesses can respond and also understand the implications for a wide range of stakeholders (such as shareholders, employees, consumers and the communities around them). It will also address how the climate emergency is a significant existential challenge for businesses.
Topics covered in lectures will include:
¿ Introduction to business models and climate impacts
¿ The net zero transition from the small through to the large scale of business
¿ The public sector and the role of influence
¿ Funding, regulating and supporting the net zero transition
¿ Strategies and tools, including circular economy and product footprints
¿ Working through the supply chain; credentials, communication, and marketing
¿ Being a responsible consumer
Themes that will be inter-woven throughout the course include the different barriers to change between sectors and communities and aligning the net zero transition to the sustainable development goals.
You can expect interactive activities and discussions, a wide range of case studies to draw learning from, and opportunities to engage in practical applications of the lessons.
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Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- High-level understanding of the complexity of strategically managing climate change within the context of an organisation
- Understanding of the landscape in which business organisations operate
- Familiarity with strategic tools and analytical frameworks
- Development of personal skills and abilities to understand and cope effectively with the challenges posed by climate change
- Integrate different dimensions of a problem, and apply both logic and judgement in the analysis of a given situation
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Reading List
A select sample of core readings includes:
- (Hoffman, 2016) Communicating about Climate Change with Corporate Leaders and Stakeholders
- (Porter, 2008) The 5 competitive forces that shape strategy
- (CDP, 2019) Supply Chain Report, Changing the Chain
- (Hart, 2010) Capitalism at the crossroads: next generation business strategies for a post-crisis world.
- (McKinsey, 2019) 5 Ways that ESG creates value
- (Brander, et al 2018) Creative Accounting: a critical perspective on the market-based method for Scope 2 Emissions
- (Linnenluecke, et al 2015) Exec engagement with climate science & need for adaptation to CC
- (BCG, 2017) Total Societal Impact, a New Lens for Strategy
- (Lash & Wellington, 2007) Competitive Advantage on a Warming Planet
- (Porter & Kramer, 2011) Creating Shared Value
- (CDP, 2016) Out of the starting blocks: Tracking progress on corporate climate action
- (McKinsey, 2010) Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy
- (Adaptation Scotland, 2017) Is your business climate ready?
- (Harvard Business Review, 2018) The Different Words We Use to Describe Male and Female Leaders
- (Sjafjell & Fannon, 2018) Corporate Sustainability, Gender as an Agent for Change
- (World Economic Forum, 2020) Gender Gap Report 2020
- (Hahn, et al 2010) Trade-Offs in Corporate Sustainability
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
-Knowing: Knowledge and understanding of core concepts and debates in business and low carbon business strategy.
Acting: Experience in applying a range of strategic and analytical tools related to business practices such as SWOT, PESTEL and Design Thinking.
Being: cultivating values towards climate responsible business practices.
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
10:00 - 13:00 Wednesdays
Location: L_1.37, Patersons Land, Holyrood
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| Keywords | climate change,business,sustainability,business strategy |
Contacts
| Course organiser | |
Course secretary | Mrs Katherine Ingram
Tel:
Email: Katherine.Ingram@ed.ac.uk |
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