Aim
The general aim of the course is that students should acquire knowledge about environmental management in companies and in society and to stimulate discussion and reflection on strengths and weaknesses of enironmental tools and policy instruments.

The course should provide a basis for critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of environmental tools and policy instruments. In addition to this the student is trained in critical thinking, problem definition and in written and oral communication.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe environmental management in companies and in society, including environmental tools, their possibilities and limitations

• be able to describe basic environmental economic concepts and policy instruments

• be able to discuss basic concepts in environmental legislation concepts put into practice

• be able to discuss the connections between global environmental problems and Sweden´s environmental objectives as well as environmental work in practice.

• be able to discuss different aspects of sustainable development, and relate the concept to various environmental tools.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to analyse critically environmental tools, their strengths and weaknesses

• be able to formulate a problem that is followed up in an analysis at a relatively advanced level.

• be able to write a well-structured paper with proper source and language processing and to defend it during a seminar

• be able to search independently for relevant literature and be able to critically assess sources

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to critically assess sustainability reports.

Contents
Basic concepts and principles of environmental issues are highlighted. The course should also give knowledge about economic and administrative policy instruments, as well as the advantages and drawbacks of different environmental tools, e.g. environmental legislation, life cycle assessment, environmental impact assessment, environmental management systems, environmental labelling and emission trading. The concept of sustainability and sustainability reporting.

Among the course requirements are an assignment in environmental legislation showing an understanding of the legal process of an environmental case, a discussion seminar on literature dealing with various aspects of sustainable development. A project involves a critical examination and analysis of an “environmental tool”, both politically decided policy instruments and methods and tools used in the economy.

Literature
Ammenberg, J.: Miljömanagement. Studentlitteratur, latest edition.
Pihl, H.: Miljöekonomi för en hållbar utveckling, latest edition, SNS förlag, Stockholm.
De Facto, current issue. Naturvårdsverket.
Tillståndsprövning och anmälan avseende miljöfarlig verksamhet. Naturvårdsverket handbok 2003:5.
The reading list is established each year.