Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2022
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Motivations and forces driving the implementation and development of environmental and sustainability management systems in companies and organisations. Current management systems aiming at implementing and sustaining a systematic, efficient and sustainable operation of a company. In the framework of a project designed in collaboration with external stakeholders, different issues of corporate environmental management such as planning and implementation of management systems, climate change performance, sustainable supply chain management and use-phase aspects may be studied. Comparison of current management standards for enviroment, such as EMAS and ISO14001, quality, ISO 9001:2000, health and safety – OSHAS 18001 for developing integrated management systems for sustainability. The course also addresses the tools for sustainability monitoring and planning, such as Environmental and Quality Auditing and Corporate Sustainability Reporting. The course is mainly a project course implementing theory and methods of environmental and sustainability management on companies and organisations.
Intended learning outcomes
The overall aim with the course is to give knowledge, and skills regarding approaches for management for sustainable development and change in companies and other organizations due to an increased focus on sustainability. The course also provides training in application of some of the tools used to plan, monitor and evaluate environmental and sustainability management in organizations.
After concluding this course the student should be able to:
Analyse and compare how strategies and methods such as environmental management systems are used to improve organizations’ contributions to sustainable development, considering a life-cycle perspective as well as the economic and institutional context of the organization
Identify, analyze and evaluate sustainability aspects and propose indicators for formulation of targets and action plans for the sustainable development of a company or organization
Collect, analyze and present data on environmental impacts and resource flows, in order to monitor and evaluate the environmental performance of organizations
Design, plan and perform a group project on environmental and sustainability management of an organization, while considering the project description and the intentions of a client.
Write project reports according to instructions in the course documentation, present and discuss the reports to the company or organization that has been studied in the project and at seminars for the course participants.
Learning activities
The course is largely project based, meaning that the organised learning activities are all connected to the project work, but also that each student has a significant own responsibility in organizing and directing the own learning process. As such, it is important that the student takes ownership of the project from the start of the course, and takes timely action to complete the associated tasks – both those that are formally recognised within the course and any additional ones necessary to complete the project in a successful way. Moreover, it is expected that the student engages in continuous dialogue with the company representative and the KTH supervisor (as appropriate). It is expected that the student draws on previous knowledge from courses such as AL2160 (or corresponding).
Preparations before course start
Literature
Scientific articles and other reports relevant for the project topic. Addtionally, literature on relevant scientic methods for the project method.
Support for students with disabilities
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
PRO2 - Project, 7.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
PRO2 - Project, 7.5 credits
Project plan (P/F)
Draft project report (P/F)
Method seminar (P/F)
Written and oral peer review (P/F)
Project presentation (P/F)
Final project report (A-F)
Individual reflection (A-F)
Other requirements for final grade
In order to receive a passing grade (E) for the course, the reports and presentations of exercise and project must be approved. The final grade is calculated as a weighted average of the grades of the two parts.
Ethical approach
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.