Green and Sustainable Ecosystems

Syllabus

Syllabus of seminars 1. Introduction to Sustainability in Business: This lesson introduces the concept of sustainability within the business context, focusing on balancing economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. Students will explore the Triple Bottom Line framework (People, Planet, Profit) as a foundation for sustainable business practices. Key global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and pollution will be discussed to highlight their implications for businesses. Additionally, the session will outline the benefits of sustainable practices, including enhanced brand reputation, risk reduction, and long-term profitability. The lesson concludes with an overview of the course themes, providing a roadmap of the topics to be covered. 2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Frameworks: This session delves into the evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. Students will learn about the historical shift from CSR as philanthropic activity to its integration into core business strategies. The lesson also explains ESG factors and their growing importance in assessing corporate sustainability. Through case studies, students will examine how businesses implement CSR and ESG to address ethical responsibilities while improving reputation and performance. The lesson also introduces ESG metrics and reporting frameworks, emphasizing their role in sustainable business management. 3. Circular Economy and Sustainable Corporate Strategies: This lesson explores the concept of the circular economy, emphasizing waste reduction, resource optimization, and closed-loop systems. Students will compare the traditional linear economy (take, make, dispose) with circular models that prioritize sustainability. Key strategies such as recycling, remanufacturing, and sharing platforms will be discussed alongside real-world case studies of successful circular business models. The lesson highlights the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to circular practices, focusing on innovation and partnerships as enablers of sustainability. 4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Business Alignment: Students will be introduced to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on their relevance to businesses. The session discusses the strategic benefits of aligning corporate practices with SDGs, including improved reputation, customer loyalty, and market access. Examples of businesses that have successfully integrated SDGs into their strategies will be analyzed. Students will also explore challenges in aligning with SDGs, such as operational adjustments and financial constraints, while identifying opportunities for innovation and collaboration. 5. Best Practices Presented by Guest Speakers: Green Urban Mobility Solutions: This guest lecture focuses on eco-friendly transportation solutions in urban settings. Topics include bike-sharing, electric public transport, and reduced emissions zones, with case studies of successful urban mobility projects. The speaker will discuss the integration challenges and strategies cities use to create efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation systems. Key insights will highlight sustainable urban mobility's economic, social, and environmental impacts. 6. Best Practices Presented by Guest Speakers: Sustainable Logistics and Delivery Services: The second guest lecture covers sustainable practices in logistics and delivery services. Topics include route optimization, green packaging, and electric delivery vehicles. The speaker will showcase examples of companies implementing sustainable logistics to reduce carbon footprints, especially in last-mile delivery. Discussion will focus on the benefits of eco-friendly logistics solutions, challenges in transitioning to green supply chains, and future trends in the industry. 7. Overview of Sustainability Indicators in European Countries: This lesson introduces key sustainability indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy use, and waste management. Students will learn how these indicators reflect progress in achieving sustainability goals across European regions. The session emphasizes the importance of quantitative metrics for evaluating environmental impact, providing a foundation for subsequent workshops that involve real-world data analysis. 8. Scrutinizing Sustainability Metrics Using Eurostat data: Building on the previous lesson, this workshop allows students to analyze sustainability metrics using Eurostat data. Students will work in groups to assess country-level performance on renewable energy use, emissions reduction, and waste management. Through data visualization and trend analysis, students will identify best practices and challenges in regional sustainability. The session concludes with group presentations of findings. 9. Global Energetics Situation, Energy Mix and Emissions: This lesson focuses on the global energy landscape, examining patterns of energy consumption, sources in the energy mix, and emissions. Students will explore the role of renewable energy in reducing carbon footprints and assess the challenges of transitioning to sustainable energy systems. Case studies and data analysis will highlight regional differences and innovations in energy efficiency. 10. Practical Analysis of Regional Energy Consumption and Emissions: In this workshop, students will analyze energy consumption and emissions across global regions using datasets from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Working in groups, they will process and evaluate data on energy trends, energy mix, and emissions patterns. The session emphasizes data-driven insights and comparative analysis to assess regional progress toward energy sustainability goals. 11. Sustainability in Urban Development and Smart Cities: This session examines innovative solutions for sustainable urban development, including smart city initiatives. Students will explore topics such as renewable energy integration, waste management, green infrastructure, and smart transportation systems. Case studies of successful smart city projects will be presented, highlighting the role of technology and policy in promoting urban sustainability. 12. Comparative Evaluation of Urban Sustainability Initiatives: In this workshop, students will analyze and compare urban sustainability initiatives using real-world data and case studies, such as those from C40 Cities. Groups will evaluate metrics like public transportation coverage, green space per capita, and air quality. Presentations will showcase best practices and challenges in sustainable urban development, fostering critical discussions on effective solutions. 13. Closing Discussion, Short Quiz and Self-Reflective SWOT Analysis: The final session includes a reflective SWOT analysis, where students assess their learning journey, strengths, and areas for improvement. A short quiz will assess knowledge retention and understanding of key course concepts. The session concludes with a discussion to consolidate learning and encourage students to apply sustainability principles in their future careers.