Sustainability Consulting: Using ROSI to Drive the Business Case

(3 Credits)

This course is designed to assist students in developing the knowledge, skills, and perspective they need to assess and calculate the financial benefits of company investments in sustainability initiatives solely using the NYU Stern CSB Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSITM) methodology, and to deepen the knowledge through hands-on consulting with a business determining the financial benefits of one of their investments in sustainability initiatives. Sustainability creates enterprise value, and in this course, students will develop an effective sustainability leadership perspective through pursuit of the following learning objectives: 1) to understand and use the ROSITM Framework and Methodology, including identifying key sustainability risks and opportunities and the associated benefits, 2) to identify key financial benefits for sustainability practices across the framework’s nine value drivers, 3) to understand how to work with companies in a consulting capacity using ROSITM to determine the financial benefits of that company’s investment in a sustainability initiative 4) to develop and present an internal business case for sustainability to a client. Student group projects will enable them to act as management consultants and provide recommendations for developing and implementing a sustainability business case using ROSITM for the company that they are paired with. The format of the course is a combination of lecture and experiential learning, Students will work with advisors and pre-selected companies on defining and monetizing the returns on specific sustainability initiatives of the client companies. Class sessions will span a variety of activities, including guest lecturers from the business community, discussion, role-playing, and other participatory exercises, as well as work on the projects with the clients.