OADD 2330 - Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategies

Today’s professionals are called to create sustainable solutions and integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies across a wide number of career fields and industries. This course introduces the frameworks and tools for understanding and implementing ESG strategies, focusing on business and investment. Students will explore real-world case studies across different continents and challenge entrenched sectoral norms. Students will also unpack the concepts of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) and how this lens leads to stakeholder-aligned outcomes. Through completion of course readings, activities, and discussions, students will identify stakeholders, define ESG strategies, and exercise specific tactics to deliver on the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) from a business and investment perspective. This course takes an introductory and overview approach and will not provide depth in any one element of ESG; the course does not provide training in any particular corporate sustainability reporting framework or standard.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify history, vocabulary and concepts associated with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) progress. [Knowledge acquired]
• Define strategic elements that enable ESG-related objectives within an organization. [Knowledge acquired]
• Understand and evaluate measures used to identify successful implementation of ESG strategies. [Knowledge acquired] [Skills developed]
• Practice designing ESG strategies to improve business practices and align with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). [Skills developed]

Professional Skills:

·· Geographical and Sectoral Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy

• Sustainability metrics
• Sustainable Investing and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)
• Stakeholder analysis

During oral presentations, both fellow students and lecturer will be able to ask questions and provide live feedback

Assessment:

• Group oral presentation 40%
• Multiple choice exam 50%
• Class participation 10%

Course workload:

• in Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• online learning activities: 1 hours a week / 12 hours a semester
• reading and Preparation for Class: 5 hours a week / 60 hours a semester
• research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2.5 hours a week / 30 hours a semester