ENVR09047 2022 Sustainability and International Markets

General Details

Full Title
Sustainability and International Markets
Transcript Title
Sustainability & Intl Markets
Code
ENVR09047
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
ENVR - Environmental Science
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
09 - NFQ Level 9
Credit
10 - 10 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Declan Feeney, Frances Lucy, Maria Dermiki, Fiona Britton, Paul Sullivan
Programme Membership
SG_SSUST_M09 202200 Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems SG_SSUST_O09 202200 Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Food Systems
Description

The UN classifies sustainability as spanning environmental, social and corporate governance principles- supporting an approach to environmental challenges that is precautionary, that promotes initiatives to bring about greater environmental responsibility, and encouraging the development and implementation of environmentally friendly technologies.

Businesses can often feel challenged by the practicalities of implementing such values into their business models, especially in the case of the international expansion of business, which invariably involves global supply chains.

Sustainable policies in a company as it expands into new markets may have a focus on environmental changes to the way in which the company operates, from reducing emissions, reducing water and energy usage or operating greener supply chains. Social considerations may involve ensuring that there are improvements in health and safety policies, equal opportunities and an improved work/life balance. On the Corporate Governance side, more due diligence may be put into supply chains to identify potential sources open to exploitation to ensure that raw materials and services provided come from  suppliers who are providing their workers with a living wage.

This module will aim to provide students with the necessary skills to analyse the environmental, social and corporate governance issues within their business, and implement changes to facilitate the international expansion of their business in a sustainable way.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Investigate the various sustainabilty schemes in international markets to determine their compatability with the EU single market.

2.

Evaluate tools to monitor sustainability across international markets

3.

Investigate green procurement as a lever in sustainable change 

4.

Apply stakeholder assessment tools to evaluate communication needs for their organisation in context of sustainability

5.

Appraise the potential risks pertaining to sustainability practices within global markets/trade

6.

Investigate the various international sustainability trends and divergences and how they can impact international trade. 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The students will be exposed to a blend of learning activities e.g. online lectures (via adobe connect, Microsoft Teams or similar), guest lectures, case studies, independent learning and directed learning. This approach in combination with the principles of UDL is expected to address various student learning needs.

In terms of UDL multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation and action, and multiple means of expression will be employed. Some examples of multiple means of engagement will be allowing students to choose their own case study to work on, or fostering collaboration and community when students are working in teams or minimising threats and distractions when creating schedules and plans in order to keep students on track. Some examples of multiple means of representations will be providing students with a list of definitions for each section of the module, providing slides and recordings with captions. Some examples of multiple means of action and expression will be the facilitation of management of information and resources through the organisation of the Moodle according to themes. 

Moodle will be used to upload educational material (e.g. powerpoint presentations, recordings of online lectures and supplementary reading material) and as means of assessment (e.g. uploading assignments and journals). The online delivery may be blended with workshops to bring the learners together to facilitate group and peer learning.

In cases where it is necessary to build previous knowledge students will be provided with slides, presentations or MOOC.

Module Assessment Strategies

Continuous assessment - 100%. Regular assessments may be undertaken via moodle and assignments delivered as per module requirements. Students may be assessed individually or in group environments with a strong emphasis on continual improvement and skill building. 

Repeat Assessments

Repeat assessment, where relevant, will involve assignment, assessment that provides evidence that the student has met the subject and topic learning outcomes to the required standard. Assignment guidelines will be provided.

Module Dependencies

Co-requisites
REGU09014 201900 Food Processing Regulations REGU09013 201900 Framework of Food Regulations

Indicative Syllabus

1. Investigate the various sustainabilty schemes in international markets to determine their compatability with the EU single market.

  • challenges in sustainability/ global food systems 
  • Globalisation – cost/benefit 

  • Sustainability and global megatrends  

2. Evaluate tools to monitor sustainability across international markets 

  • Carbon Footprinting, ISO Standards 

  • Sustainability Standards, e.g. Global Reporting Initiative, EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and ‘double materiality’ 

3. Investigate green procurement as a lever in sustainable change. 

  • Appraise environmental / ethics nexus – decision making, trade offs & how to measure success 

  • sustainable sourcing,  

  • supply chain mapping, code of conduct, evaluation & capacity building programmes etc) 

4. Apply stakeholder assessment tools to evaluate communication needs for their organisation in context of sustainability 

  • Importance of effective and strategic communication for sustainability 

  • Stakeholder engagement matrix 

5. Appraise the potential risks pertaining to sustainability practices within global markets/trade

  • Greenwashing
  • False sustainability claims
  • Misleading claims

6. Investigate the various international sustainability trends and divergences and how they can impact international trade.

  • Ethical trends/divergences
  • Environmental trends/divergences

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Assignment Coursework Assessment Written Report/Essay 30 % Week 6 1,2,3
2 Presentation Coursework Assessment Project 40 % Week 9 3,4,5,6
3 Learning journal Coursework Assessment Assignment 30 % End of Semester 1,2,3,4,5,6

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Online Online lecture 2 Weekly 2.00
Workshop / Seminar Flat Classroom Workshop 4.5 Once Per Semester 0.30
Directed Learning Not Specified Directed Learning 1.7 Weekly 1.70
Independent Learning Not Specified Independent Learning 10 Weekly 10.00
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 4.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2016-11-15 Advances in Food Security and Sustainability Academic Press
ISBN 0128098635 ISBN-13 9780128098639

"Advances in Food Security and Sustainability" takes a scientific look at the challenges, constraints, and solutions necessary to maintain a healthy and accessible food supply in different communities around the world. The series addresses a wide range of issues related to the principles and practices of food sustainability and security, exploring challenges related to protecting environmental resources while meeting human nutritional requirements. Contains expertise from leading contributions on the topics discussed Covers a vast array of subjects relating to food security and sustainability

Required Reading
2012 Food, Globalization and Sustainability Routledge
ISBN 9781849712613 ISBN-13 1849712611

Food is increasingly traded internationally, thereby transforming the organization of food production and consumption globally and influencing most food-related practices. New concerns are arising, including the environmental impact of food production and trade, animal welfare, the health and safety of food, and the social and economic impact of international food trade. This book provides an overview of the principal conceptual frameworks that have been developed for understanding these changes.

Required Reading
2009-03-10 Sustainability in the Food Industry John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 9780813808468 ISBN-13 0813808464

Sustainability is beginning to transform the food industry with environmental, economic and social factors being considered, evaluated and implemented throughout the supply chain like never before. Sustainability in the Food Industry defines sustainability with a comprehensive review of the industrys current approach to balancing environmental, economic and social considerations throughout the supply chain. In addition, tools and information are provided to enhance future progress. To achieve this, the book combines technical research summaries, case studies and marketing information. Coverage includes sustainability as it relates to: agricultural practices, food processing, distribution, waste management, packaging, life cycle analysis, food safety and health, environmental labeling, consumer insight and market demand, product development, practices in food manufacturing companies, food retailing and food service. An international group of authors covers the information from a global perspective. Sustainability in the Food Industry offers an overview of sustainable sources of impact and improvement, how they relate to the key sectors of the food industry and how programs may be implemented for further improvement.

Required Reading
2015-09-30 Sustainable Development in International Law Making and Trade
ISBN 1784717266 ISBN-13 9781784717261

The concept of sustainable development has become a fundamental discourse in international decision-making. To enable pragmatic sustainable development governance, legally coherent, mutually supportive multilateral treaties are both necessary and important. This book provides an accessible insight into how the concept of sustainable development can be made operational for coherent law making through its translation into legal terms.

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources
Journal Resources

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

Sustainability

URL Resources

https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/publication/trade-sustainable-food-systems_en

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en

https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/delivering-european-green-deal_en

Other Resources
Additional Information