KCOE 4185 - Mainstreaming Sustainability into Strategy and Communication

Environmental degradation is perhaps humanity's greatest challenge. Climate change, air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, fossil fuel dependency, public health issues linked to environment are urgent problems to be dealt with at the global and local levels. Why and how exactly must stakeholders' mainstream sustainability into their business models and communication strategies? This course will examine the stakes and means of integrating sustainability into the strategy and communication of companies, public institutions, NGO's, experts, citizens and political figures. What is the economic interest in mainstreaming sustainability into stakeholders' strategy and communication? What tools are at their disposal? What specific messages do economic and political actors aim to convey? What are the means for acting and communicating effectively on sustainability today? Examining the trends of corporate social responsibility (CSR), dissecting the discourse of politicians and political parties, understanding the role of NGO's and influencers, both at national and international levels, this class will have a multi-sector, multi-actor and multi-scale approach to studying sustainability in strategy and communication.

Henri LANDES,Mélina LONGPRÉ

Enseignement électif

English

Class taught in English: at least a level C1 in English Language is required

Autumn 2022-2023

In class presentation (interactive, 30 minutes including Q&A) : group work, on topic chosen by students and approved by instructor: 30% Sustainability quiz at the end of the semester 30% One audio or audio visual production (3-6 minutes) on environmental topic of your choice OR 3 page paper (single spaced, 12 pt font, excluding images and graphs) analysing the sustainability strategy of an economic player or political institution OR a creative writing blog post/op ed on a topic of your choice 40%

The course will be composed of seminars, workshops and scenario building exercises, always drawing links with current societal trends on environment. Each session will begin with a brief discussion on current events. Most sessions will take place online due to the current context. The course will include interactive and innovative workshops, giving the students to do both individual and teamwork assignments and exercises. Such exercises may be an in class twitter analysis and discussion with outside experts, viewing and analysis of a press conference, reading and analysis of excerpts of a company's sustainable development report, and dissecting a political speech. Students will also conduct an in class simulation of an environmental crisis in which the class will be divided into teams of 3 students to represent different stakeholders.