Module manager: Jo Cutter
Email: J.Cutter@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
LUBS5301M and LUBS5303M
This module is not approved as an Elective
The module responds to students' desire to develop knowledge and skills in relation to policy and practice to combat climate change and environmental sustainability. The module examines how environmental crises and sustainability challenges are shaped by and impact on business policy and practice and responses to this by different stakeholders (mainly business, governments and workers). The first part examines the nature of the climate and environmental challenges and the anticipated risks for businesses and organisations. It explores the national and international policy initiatives currently focused on addressing these issues and the conceptual frameworks that shape the ways different social actors are engaged in these debates. The second part of the module focuses on businesses and organisations. It examines how business models are changing to address environmental sustainability and the implications for organisational change, work and employment of new ‘green’ business models and strategies. Finally, the module returns to policy questions around justice in the economic and industrial transitions taking place in the move to greater sustainability. The module involves a mixture of activities, real world projects and case studies from across different sectors, group discussions and individual research that encourages students to critically appreciate the strategic challenges that policy makers and management in contemporary organisations are facing with regard to addressing sustainability and equips students with the skills and knowledge required of leaders in a complex, unpredictable and fast-changing business environment. There will also be the chance for students to participate in extra-curricular sustainability challenge competitions undertaken in collaboration with external partners.
Governments and businesses across the globe are (to varying degrees) trying to embed climate and environmental action into policy and practice. How environmental sustainability goals will be achieved are questions critical to our students who are eager to understand the challenges of embedding sustainability policy and practice within large and small businesses to ensure systems of production and work are fit for a new sustainable green economy.
This module equips students with knowledge and skills to help in the rethinking and creation of new sustainable production and management systems, from everyday management practices in the workplace, through to policy in a range of sectors, to questions of regulation and social protections, technological innovation and the reuse of natural resources that will shape the new economic and social institutions needed to ensure the green transition.
The primary objectives of the module are:
1.To equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand the effects of climate and environmental crises on businesses, work and employment.
2.To build awareness of key current sustainability policy at the supranational and national levels and consider the relationship between existing environmental policy and wider political economy.
3.Undertake critical reflection on ways that environmental impacts are shaped by different societal actors and interests and engage with the key debates and conflicts surrounding action on environmental sustainability.
4.To develop critical and informed understandings to move beyond a focus on environmental crises towards policy and practice actions likely to enhance environmental sustainability.
5.To analyse practical examples of ongoing action/initiatives undertaken by management and workers in different organisations to reduce carbon emissions and other area of environmental impacts (e.g. waste management; energy efficiency; changes in working time; mobility and transport)
6.Critically examine how industrial transitions have played out historically and the implications for the current green transition drawing on case studies from the UK and internationally.
ALO1. Demonstrate an understanding of current theoretical and methodological approaches underpinning business and organisational sustainability policy and practice.
ALO2. Flexibly and creatively apply this knowledge to current business challenges.
ALO3. Engage in critical reflection and ethical debate on climate change and sustainability policy and practice within business in the light of new theoretical and practical insights.
ALO4. Demonstrate personal skills in undertaking independent research and reading; articulate a convincing argument in writing to engage in critical analysis of sustainability policy and practices in varied organisations and contexts.
ALO5. Synthesise ideas and information learned to develop original and independent contributions to policy debates on climate change, the environment and business.
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Subject specific skills
SLO1. Apply concepts and frameworks to the design of climate and sustainability policy that include the nature/type of change, theories of change process and projected (social and economic) outcomes of change initiatives.
SLO2. Evaluate and debate perspectives on climate and environmental policy and practice and the key actions required by public policy and organisational leaders in forming and implementing strategic plans.
SLO3. Critically assessing actions that help develop organisational culture and practice that supports both day-to-day and long-term change needed to address sustainability.
Transferable skills
SLO4. Develop understanding of assessing and differentiating strategic initiatives and plans.
SLO5. Develop ability to plan, communicate and work independently- Reflect on their own perceptions how these shape their own personal and professional practice.
The module includes a mix of interactive lectures and seminars covering an overview of climate and environmental challenges and policy responses at the regional, national and supra-national level; it explores the framing of environmental policy including concepts of green economy, de-growth and post-growth. The module then focuses on business and organisational challenges within this wider context, exploring new business models and organisational change for sustainability. This includes exploring the roles of technology and AI and the implications for work and the voice of workers and consumers in shaping sustainable change. The module concludes with considering the business and policy practices related to organisational and industrial change including the negotiation between different social actors.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 130 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Students will be provided with suggested readings and seminar tasks, in advance, for each session and will be expected to time preparing for lectures and seminars - the latter will include non-assessed student presentations in class. Further private study is expected to be spent on additional readings, using the reading list as a guide to develop wider searches of relevant literature on policy and practice and analysis of relevant social media/online-blogs. In addition students will undertake private study to plan, research and write their assignment.
Formative feedback will be provided to the students during the interactive lectures and seminars. Lectures will include segments of Q&A on the content of lectures notes and readings. Seminars will include groups of students working on case study analysis, group work and class presentations, time will be allocated at the end of seminars for tutor feedback on the presentations.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Case analysis report, 2,500 words | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit for this module is 100% by 2,500 word report.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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