Sustainability Business

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor, Undergraduate

As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, businesses hold unprecedented control over financial, technological and natural resources, globally. Hence, any effort to make a more sustainable world must be undertaken in cooperation and collaboration with businesses. Businesses, too, face growing demands from an array of stakeholders -- customers, employees, non-profits, shareholders, governments and international organizations to recognize and minimize their negative impacts and to use their strengths to be part of the solution. The course will shine a light on best practices in corporate sustainability while critically examining how businesses need to evolve further to solve the most crucial sustainability issues of the 21st century, including climate change. The course will also examine how other stakeholders such as governments, civil society and multilateral institutions ought to engage with businesses to leverage the best of what they offer while curbing their worst impulses. Course participants will develop an understanding of what it takes to mainstream sustainability in businesses in the 21st century through selected readings, case studies, guest speakers and interactive class sessions.