Topic 1: Introduction

Dr Athena Piterou
(a.piterou@gre.ac.uk )
Sustainable Business Development(BUSI 1552)
16 January 2020
Teaching team
Course leader
Athena Piterou
Office hours: Thursday 10:00-12:00 (QA 201)
Email: a.Piterou@gre.ac.uk
Extension: 8801
Tutors
Ian Clarke
Anne-Marie Coles
Najmal Hasan

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

Module structure
15 credit course
Lecture (1 hour)
Thursday 2 pm, KW_315
Tutorial (1 hour)
As indicated on individual timetables. All
tutorials are scheduled on Thursdays
You should attend the allocated tutorial

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

Module materials
The session plan mentions the supporting reading for
each topic-there is no textbook
All book chapters and journal articles are available
from the library
Links to the readings will be provided on moodle
Additional readings will be recommended to help with
assignment preparation

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

 Questions
How can we evaluate the environmental impact of
business activity?
What is the meaning of “sustainable business”?
What is the relation between economic growth and
ecological problems?
What are the barriers to more sustainable business
practices?
How can business actors develop products and
services with lower environmental impact?

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

 Federal reserve bank of Minneapolis
(2003)
BUSI 1552 Module Introduction
 The Economist
BUSI 1552 Module Introduction
Sustainability: the triple bottom line
The Brundtland report Our Common Future (1987) defined
sustainability as using resources to meet present needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet the
needs of the future.
Sustainability is a relatively new concept: “economy of nature”
had been used since the 17 th century to refer to the natural world
A convergence between economic, social and environmental
goals
Triple Bottom Line (Elkington, 1997)
People
Planet
Profit

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

The three spheres of sustainability

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction
BUSI 1552 Module Introduction
Assessment Tasks
Proposal (formative, 500 words)
Select a product or service and provide a summary of
the main environmental implications resulting from its
production and consumption. You should justify the
selection of the topic and briefly evaluate the
significance of these environmental impacts. You are
advised to consider the environmental impacts
throughout the lifecycle.
You are advised to hand this in by 20/2 to allow for timely
feedback

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

Assessment Tasks
Essay (100%, 26/3/2020 3000 words)
The essay should provide a more detailed account of the
environmental impacts associated with the product/service
selected in the proposal. On the basis of this analysis, you should
also discuss how these environmental impacts can be mitigated.
The essay should include a literature review section which will
address the main debates around sustainable development.
Your answer should draw on secondary research regarding
production and consumption data on the product/service. You
should identify the actors involved in its production and
consumption, and consider the role of technological innovation
and environmental regulation in promoting sustainable practices.

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

 Module outline
1. Introduction to the course & the assessment
2. The business case for sustainability
o What are the incentives for greening business
practices?
3. Beyond the business case: eco-efficiency and
eco-effectiveness
o Is increased resource efficiency sufficient to
achieve a more sustainable economy?

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

Module outline
4. Environmental auditing and impact assessment
(1)
o Natural capital
o Life cycle assessment
o Carbon footprint

5. Environmental auditing and impact assessment

(2)
oEnvironmental management systems (EMS)
oEnvironmental reporting

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

Module outline
6. Green consumerism
o Environmental attitudes and behaviour
o Green marketing & Eco labels
7. Innovation for sustainable development
o Eco-innovation
o Design for Sustainability
8. Environmental regulation: government policy and
business reaction
o Types of regulatory measures
o Design of environmental policy

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction

Module outline
9. Finance for sustainable development
o “Green Finance”
o Financial instruments for sustainable ventures
10. Behavioural change and eco-innovation:
alternative pathways to sustainability
o The question of decoupling
o Dematerialisation
11. Guest lecture: to be confirmed
12. Course review & evaluation

BUSI 1552 Module Introduction