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ENVP40240

Academic Year 2025/2026

Sustainable Corporate Strategy (ENVP40240)

Subject:
Environmental Policy
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Architecture, Plan & Env Pol
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Peter Clinch
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module addresses two pervasive and pressing challenges of our time: how environmental policy impacts businesses and what role can businesses play in ensuring a sustainable future. Businesses are key stakeholders in the economic system and evaluating their impacts on the environment is of utmost necessity since they are potentially both a cause of, and solution to, environmental challenges. Understanding the interdependence between business and the environment is integral to effective policy making and analysis, especially in a world where governments and societies face an increasingly complex challenge to address environmental issues. The importance of promoting purpose-driven businesses is now recognised in the emergence of the concepts of ESG and associated regulations in various jurisdictions, most notably the European Union. This module will examine how competitive advantage in firms can be promoted through sustainable business strategy and it will equip successful students with professional knowledge and tools to apply policy-oriented skills to a business setting. The module contains key environmental, social, governance and other business concepts and frameworks that will equip successful candidates with practical insights into the complexities of sustainability issues in a business context.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Explain the ESG imperative and the different perspectives on the business case for action on the environment
2. Understand the drivers of change from consumers, investors, employees, and regulators
3. Comprehend the relationship between regulation and the competitive advantage of firms through sustainable strategy
4. Have an appreciation of different business models for change.
5. Understand the relationship between effective governance, responsible business, and sustainability
6. Appreciate approaches to achieving purpose-driven change.

Indicative Module Content:

Indicative topics include:

- The business case for change and business models for shared value
- The regulatory framework for sustainable business
-Navigating the ESG word salad
-The conscious consumer, employee and investor
-Sustainable investing
-Governance and purposeful business
-From strategy to impact

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

28
Autonomous Student Learning

150
Lectures

22
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Approaches utilised in this module, depending on content, may include:
- Lecture and seminar approaches
- Case studies and problem-based learning
- Group work/debates
- Students’ presentations and debate

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Successful completion of Trimester 1 requirements of MSc (Environmental Policy)


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Group project with research-based activity Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
40
 Yes
Individual Project: Individual Essay Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 14, Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
50
 Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: In-class discussions and engagement Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Cara Augustenborg Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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