Resource and Energy Management

Teacher(s)

Belleflamme Paul; De Rongé Yves; Mossay Emmanuel;

Language

English

Prerequisites

None

Main themes

The climate emergency and the rapid exhaustion of non-renewable natural resources are making all economic activities increasingly reliant on the good management of natural resources. The long-term performance and durability of all organizations increasingly depend on sustainability strategies and business policies that explicitly consider the impact of their activities on the environment and, more globally, on society. Against this backdrop, this course focuses on understanding the business and policy logic for making the environment, sustainability, and natural resources core elements of the strategy and management of organizations. It studies the processes and tools that can be used to link environmental, sustainability, and natural resource concerns with strategies, development of products and services, and operations management. More specifically, the course provides guidance as to how and when environmental, energy, and natural resource management can be translated into business model innovations and the achievement of a circular and regenerative economy.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
LLSMF2902	Upon completion of this course, learners will: Understand the implications of climate change and the scarcity of natural resources for organizations, the economy, and society; Have in depth knowledge of the underpinnings of a circular and regenerative economy; Identify the opportunities that a circular and regenerative economy opens for existing companies and the creation of new ones; Develop a systemic thinking and be aware of the interdependencies between all the actors of an ecosystem.

Content

The climate emergency and the rapid exhaustion of non-renewable natural resources are making all economic activities increasingly reliant on the good management of natural resources. The long-term performance and durability of all organizations increasingly depend on sustainability strategies and business policies that explicitly consider the impact of their activities on the environment and, more globally, on society. Against this backdrop, this course focuses on understanding the business and policy logic for making the environment, sustainability, and natural resources core elements of the strategy and management of organizations. It studies the processes and tools that can be used to link environmental, sustainability, and natural resource concerns with strategies, development of products and services, and operations management. More specifically, the course provides guidance as to how and when environmental, energy, and natural resource management can be translated into business model innovations and the achievement of a circular and regenerative economy.As the scope of the course is very broad, the team of instructors will select a range of topics based on their background, interests and experience.
Potential covered topics are (but not limited to): Regenerative economy, Circular economy, Servitization, Energy business and strategy, Risk management and climate change, Sustainable business models, Innovation in cleantech and climate change solutions.

Teaching methods

Environmental/sustainability issues and their potential solutions are typically complex and multifaceted. Companies may also be tempted to leverage these issues for marketing and public relation purposes, instead of implementing new practices that are truly sustainable. It is thus crucial for this course to adopt an interdisciplinary approach in view of sharpening the learners’ critical thinking. To this end, class time is devoted to lecturing, discussion, and invited talks. Students participate through news and case discussions, and independent reading of academic and business literature. There is a heavy emphasis on student contribution to class discussion. There is a case-based activity in most sessions. These activities are designed to deepen the students’ knowledge of the topics addressed in the lectures. All students are required to participate in the activities.

Evaluation methods

The final grade in this course will be based on marks in individual coursework, group coursework, and a final exam.

• The individual coursework counts toward 20% of the final grade. It consists of a combination of activities that will be specified at the start of the course (for instance, participation in group meetings, quizzes, or evaluation of group reports).
• The group coursework counts toward 50% of the final grade. The contents, guidelines, and deliverables will be specified at the start of the course.
• The final exam counts toward 30% of the final grade. It is a closed-book exam, which combines essay questions, short answer questions, and case studies.

The marks for the individual coursework are set once and for all (this part of the assessment cannot be retaken). However, students have the possibility to retake the final exam in August and, if the mark of the group coursework is below 10/20, to replace it with an individual coursework (to be handed in June or in August).

Online resources

All the information and teaching material relevant to the course will be posted on a dedicated Moodle website.

Bibliography

The course relies on a set of readings and other pedagogical material available to registered students through the Moodle website of the course.

Faculty or entity

CLSM