This module introduces you to the concept that human-induced climate change is a reality. There is an increasing scientific evidence base that global temperature trends are reacting to the enormous quantities of greenhouses gases that have accumulated in the atmosphere over the past 150 years. However, there is considerable uncertainty and much debate about the causes and consequences of climate change making it difficult to identify and implement effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. This module will examine: the underlying causes and consequences of climate change - specifically, the science of climate change, the use of models to predict climate change - confidence in these models, worst and best 'case scenarios', impacts of climate change as predicted by key models, strategies for adaption and mitigation of climate change, and implications of climate change for sustainable development at national, regional and local scales. Particular attention is also given to the public awareness of climate change and the diverse methods used to engage with and develop public understanding of climate change, as a precondition for changes in lifestyles, community action, and wider social change.

Initial Assessment - Create a questionnaire and conduct a survey of local organisations about attitudes to climate change within business.

Excel data Visualisation - Data visualisation of responses, collated in Excel.

Video project - A video project discussing the responses from the survey and drawing conclusions.

This module will use a mix of presentation techniques and interactive tasks to explore the module content. You will be challenged to unpick the different demands of and approaches to governance within a range of organisations, from small business to global conglomerates.

This module will focus on key aspects of the wider operating environment for the organisation, introducing key concepts and models of climate change, leading you through a selection of interactive tasks using analytical tools to identify significant environmental factors which will impact on day-to-day decisions.

You will undertake ‘formative’ assessments during the module to help you monitor your learning and provide you and us with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the ‘summative assessment(s) during or at the end of the module.

On completion of this module, you will be able to:

Appreciate the underlying causes and consequences of climate change, including the science of climate change and the use of models to predict climate change.

Evaluate the relationship between economic growth, competitiveness and carbon emissions.

Analyse the response of politics, governance and institutional development to climate change.

Critically assess the risks and opportunities created by climate change for different organisations, present the findings and reflect on the implications for sustainable development.

VLE
Internet Resources
Specialist Texts
Case Studies

Veerabhadran, R., Aines, R., Auffhammer, M. (2019) Bending the Curve: Climate Change Solutions. California: eScholarship Molthan-Hill, P. (2017) The Business Student's Guide to Sustainable Management – Principles and Practice. 2nd edn. Abingdon: Routledge Heinelt, H., & Smith, R. (2020)Sustainability, Innovation and Participatory Governance. Abingdon: Routledge