Aim
Many students will reach positions as directors or as projects leaders in large companies, with activities or production on/for an international market. These positions entail a personal responsibility for, e.g., environmental issues. Under these circumstances, a pro-active perspective, the ability to consider different aspects in advance, is are extremely important. The environmental and resource issues are such aspects, both short- and long-term.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Present an overview of the important environmental and resource issues related to the demands in modern industrialised society.

• Be able to analyse critically the concept of sustainable development.

• Describe and discuss some basic concepts within environmental legislation, and be able to relate them to consequences for companies and organisations.

• Describe and discuss basic concepts in environmental economics and policy instruments.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to critically analyse strengths and weaknesses of different environmental tools.

• Be able to identify and define a problem, following up with an analysis at a relatively advanced level, to present the results in a well-structured paper with proper text references and to defend it during a seminar..

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to identify and discuss the responsibility and role of companies in relation to sustainability, and to relate these to the demands of society.

Contents
Description of environmental problems of large geographic range and serious consequences, both short- and long-term (i.a., global warming, acidification, atmospheric ozone, ecotoxic substances), and their relation to, i.a., energy supply and use.

Limitation of resources related to the demands of modern industrialised society (non-renewable and renewable resources, conflicts over land use, etc.). Scarcity of fossil fuels and environmental problems, as compared to potential and possibilities for renewable resources in a critical perspective.

Critical appraisal of the concept of sustainable development, with a focus on material flows and the energy system. Introduction to a life cycle perspective on services and products.

Overview of environmental legislation in relation to the environmental issues: international conventions (e.g., the climate convention/Kyoto protocol, the Montreal protocol) à EU directives, etc. (REACH, RoHS) à national legislation, the Swedish “Environmental Code”, etc.). Consequences for companies and organisations (e.g., handling of chemicals, pollution control, …) Responsibility for the environment and health in companies.

Introduction to environmental economics and policy instruments (economic, administrative, etc.): emissions trading, green certificates, taxes/charges, etc.

Methods used in trade and industry to meet the demands of legislation and the customers: the ISO 14000 standards, etc. The basics of environmental work: environmental management systems, environmental labelling, communication.

Literature
Ammenberg, J: Miljömanagement. Studentlitteratur, Lund 2004.
de Facto 2007. Miljömålen – i ett internationellt perspektiv. Naturvårdsverket 2007.
Additional literature.