The Sustainable Organisation: Vision into practice - Professional course

Program Overview

The Sustainable Organisation: Vision into Practice is a professional course from UWE Bristol that equips participants with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable change in organizations. Through interactive workshops and real-world scenarios, participants explore sustainability frameworks, environmental impact assessment, and the role of businesses in addressing global challenges. The course offers an assessed project for academic credit and prepares graduates for careers in sustainability consultancy, environmental management, and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Sustainable Organisation: Vision into practice

is a professional course offered by the School of Architecture and Environment at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). It focuses on organizations as drivers of sustainable change in individual behavior, business practices, and broader society. This course is suitable for professionals in sustainability roles, career changers, and recent graduates seeking to differentiate themselves in the competitive sustainability sector.

Objectives:

• Equip participants with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a more sustainable future.
• Provide an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in achieving sustainability.
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills to appraise business operations in the light of stated social and environmental policies.
• Encourage participants to design and implement sustainable strategies and initiatives within their organizations.

Course Description:

This five-session course, spread over eight weeks, delves into the concept of sustainable organizations. It explores:

• Contextual pressures: Resource scarcity, ecosystem degradation, and their impact on business operations and strategy.
• Strategic frameworks and tools: Frameworks and tools used by organizations to contribute to sustainability.
• Externalities, business behavior, and pollution policies: Analysing the role of businesses in environmental issues and policy responses.
• Valuation of environmental assets: Assessing the value of environmental assets beyond traditional economic metrics.
• Carbon and ecological footprinting: Understanding and measuring the environmental impact of organizations.
• The impact of sustainable technologies: Exploring the potential of new technologies for efficiency and market expansion across various sectors.

Outline:

Structure:

• Five sessions scheduled over eight weeks, with weekly reading group sessions.
• Delivery through interactive workshops, presentations, and independent study.
• Focus on participatory learning and applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.

Modules:

• Sustainable Organizations in a Global Context: Concepts and practices of organizational greening strategies, environmental management principles, and sustainability politics.
• Strategic Sustainability Frameworks and Tools for Organizations: Frameworks and tools used by organizations to contribute to sustainability.
• Externalities, Business Behaviour, and Pollution Policies: Analysing the role of businesses in environmental issues and policy responses.
• Valuation of Environmental Assets and Assets Beyond Value: Assessing the value of environmental assets beyond traditional economic metrics.
• The project requires critical application of theoretical perspectives, analytical techniques, and tools related to sustainable organizations.
• Formative assessment through regular tasks and active participation in group discussions and workshops.

Teaching:

• Highly participative and interactive learning environment.
• Experienced faculty with expertise in sustainability and organizational development.
• Teaching methods include face-to-face sessions, workshops, group discussions, and independent study.

Careers:

• This course can contribute towards a postgraduate qualification in Sustainable Development in Practice.
• Participants can pursue careers in sustainability consultancy, environmental management, corporate social responsibility, and related fields.
• The course equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to contribute to a more sustainable future across various sectors.

Other:

• The course runs on Fridays throughout the program.
• UWE Bristol offers excellent library and computer facilities, as well as a supportive campus environment.
• Participants can access additional resources and information through the online learning platform.