Objectives and competences
The main purpose and objective of the course is to enable students to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge for understanding and critically evaluating complex cause-and-effect relationships between the natural and social environment and the operations of companies. In this course, students develop an understanding of the importance of sustainability information for business decision-making, communication with stakeholders, and the formulation of sustainability strategies and policies in companies. In addition, they learn how to integrate sustainability data into management and development decisions. They become familiar with modern software tools and databases for assessing the environmental impact of products and processes.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• The importance of sustainability for modern business operations and its impact on competitiveness, long-term success, and stakeholder relations.
• Sustainable development and sustainable business operations in an international business environment.
• The economic, social, environmental, and managerial dimensions of sustainability in companies.
• Sustainability challenges, business risks, and development opportunities for companies.
• The role of stakeholders, materiality, and double materiality in defining the priorities of sustainable business operations.
• Sustainability indicators, performance monitoring, and issues of quality, comparability, and credibility of information.
• The use of sustainability information in the development of strategies, goals, measures, and business improvements in companies.
• Sustainable business models and the creation of economic, social, and broader development value.
• Social and governance aspects of sustainability in companies: employees, diversity, health and safety, human rights, supply chains, ethics, and governance.
• Environmental aspects of sustainability in companies: energy, emissions, materials, water, waste, circularity, and resource efficiency.
- interaction of companies with the natural environment;
- environmental sustainability criteria;
- data needed for sutainability reporting;
- data needed to evaluate projects from environmental (climate) perspective;
- data needed for environmental policy and management;
- data needed for climate policy; implementation (carbon footprint analysis);
- software tools for calculating environmental impacts of such organizations (LCA methodology).
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• case studies
• individual work
• LCA software and databases work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Student in this course:
1. Develop an in-depth and systematic understanding of the importance of data for sustainable development in business. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
2. Are aware of the broader ethical, social and environmental issues in the areas covered by the course. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
3. Are able to analyse sustainability data and use it to establish a sustainable or environmental policy for the company. (PILO 4b, PILO 4a)
4. Critically analyse and evaluate the complex field of sustainable development with a focus on environmental issues. (PILO 4b, PILO 2c)
5. Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to analyse and interpret data for sustainable development, enabling them to make critical judgements for the design and implementation of sustainable policies and to explore alternative approaches. (PILO 2b, PILO 4b)
6. Able to critically synthesise information in the field of sustainable development and see the useful value of such information in a company's development strategy. (PILO 4b, PILO 2a)
7. Are able to take an effective multidisciplinary approach to analysis, problem solving and solution finding. (PILO 2a)
8. Develop the ability to make judgements and thus integrate multidisciplinary knowledge more effectively into business decisions. PILO 2a)
9. Skilled for working independently and as a team leader or member, proposing professional and responsible initiatives for comprehensive solutions to social and environmental problems. (PILO 3c)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Student in this course:
1. Develop an in-depth and systematic understanding of the importance of data for sustainable development in business. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
2. Are aware of the broader ethical, social and environmental issues in the areas covered by the course. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
3. Are able to analyse sustainability data and use it to establish a sustainable or environmental policy for the company. (PILO 4b, PILO 4a)
4. Critically analyse and evaluate the complex field of sustainable development with a focus on environmental issues. (PILO 4b, PILO 2c)
5. Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to analyse and interpret data for sustainable development, enabling them to make critical judgements for the design and implementation of sustainable policies and to explore alternative approaches. (PILO 2b, PILO 4b)
6. Able to critically synthesise information in the field of sustainable development and see the useful value of such information in a company's development strategy. (PILO 4b, PILO 2a)
7. Are able to take an effective multidisciplinary approach to analysis, problem solving and solution finding. (PILO 2a)
8. Develop the ability to make judgements and thus integrate multidisciplinary knowledge more effectively into business decisions. PILO 2a)
9. Skilled for working independently and as a team leader or member, proposing professional and responsible initiatives for comprehensive solutions to social and environmental problems. (PILO 3c)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme.
Readings
Temeljna literatura / textbook
• Sonnemann, G. in M. Margni (Eds.) (2015). Life Cycle Management. Springer, Dordrecht. Pridobljeno 26. aprila 2023: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-017-7221-1.
• Samans, R., & Nelson, J. (2022). Sustainable Enterprise Value Creation: Implementing Stakeholder Capitalism through Full ESG Integration. Springer/Open Access. https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/57017
• van Tulder, R. (2018). Business & the Sustainable Development Goals: A Framework for Effective Corporate Involvement. Erasmus University Rotterdam/Open Access. https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/39491
• GRI. (2021). GRI 1: Foundation 2021; GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021; GRI 3: Material Topics 2021. Global Reporting Initiative. Freely available PDFs. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/global-corporate-sustainability-report-2025_bc25ce1e-en.html
• OECD. (2025). Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2025. OECD Publishing. Open-access PDF. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/global-corporate-sustainability-report-2025_bc25ce1e-en.html
Dodatni viri / Supplement literature
Nilsson L., P.O. Persson, L. Ryden, S. Darozhka, A. Zaliauskiene (2007). Cleaner Production – Technologies and Tools for Resource Efficient Production. Book 2 in a series on Environmental Management. Baltic University Press, Uppsala.
Idowu, S. O., M. Del Baldo (Eds) (2019). Integrated Reporting: Antecedents and Perspectives for Organizations and Stakeholders. Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Brinkmann. R. (2020). Environmental Sustainability in a Time of Change. Palgrave Macmillan. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Capaldi, N., S. O. Idowu, R. Schmidpeter, M. Brueckner (Eds) (2019). Responsible Business in Uncertain Times and for a Sustainable Future. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
EFRAG. (2023/2024). ESRS Set 1. Freely available official materials. https://xbrl.efrag.org/e-esrs/esrs-set1-2023.html
Prerequisits
Successfully completed project is a prerequisite for entering the written exam
Additional information on implementation and assessment • Written exam (1.1) 70 %
• Project (3.5) 30 %
Note:
Project work - assessment incorporates project work preparation, engagement in classroom discussions and project presentation within the group, team work on project (depending on the number of enrolled students)
