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Discover climate course materials and resources.
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- Course
The course provides a grounding in modern portfolio theory, the capital asset pricing model and the framework to
evaluate hypotheses and accepted techniques in sustainable investing. We examine the financial economics
foundations of modern portfolio theory and the standard factor-based return and risk attribution framework in order
to provide a context for responsible investment practices in the marketplace. It examines the relationship between
investment return expectations, economic growth and sustainability initiatives.
- Topics on: Business, Economics, Finance, Investing
- Course
Entrepreneurship is all the rage in conversations on Wall Street and Main Street. Everyone and their neighbor seems to want the
glitz and glamour of starting a successful company and being their own boss, but few take the plunge because of the inherent risks
and tiresome challenges of developing an early-stage company. This course applies entrepreneurial thinking to different business
models as seen through a social, environmental, and economic sustainability perspective. The course will explore the relationship
between society’s need for business development and costs to the environment. You will study ways in which sustainable
entrepreneurship can significantly diminish dependency on fossil fuels and toxic substances. The course will challenge you to
conceive and pitch a sustainable entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial business concept. Guest lectures, readings, case studies,
activities, and group work will support the development of your entrepreneurial venture.
This course is distinctive from others at Columbia in several ways. This course puts sustainability concepts to work by inspiring
students to think about value creation through the lens of ecological and social stewardship; then to test market their ideas,
evaluate the business landscape, and create a thoughtful business plan and execution strategy. The class is appropriate for those
with an interest in the unique challenges of starting a social good or clean technology company.
This course requires business and technical proficiency gained in a competitive undergraduate program or commensurate
professional experience.
This is an elective course and is approved to satisfy “Area 5 – General and Financial Management” requirement for the M.S. in
Sustainability Management curriculum.
- Topics on: Business
- Course
Throughout history maps have reflected and shaped map makers’ worldviews, displayed, conveyed and visualized
spatial information. Maps summarize data trends and patterns in the human, social and natural sciences. Much of the
data we use daily (from google maps entries to tabular data to texts and speeches) are explicitly or implicitly geo-
referenced. The ability to leverage these spatial references allows us to identify and study patterns in the data.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a set of modern tools to collect, store, analyze and display spatial
information. As part of this elective class, students receive a comprehensive introduction to GIS theory and software
through a mix of lectures, readings, focused discussions, hands-on exercises and a final project. Students are
exposed to the variety of spatial data and databases, gain knowledge of the principles behind raster- and
vector-based spatial analysis and learn basic cartographic principles for producing maps that effectively
communicate a message.
Students learn to use the software ArcGIS Pro and leverage web-based GIS tools such as ArcGIS Online and similar
tools to develop online interactive maps and graphics. Case studies examined in class will draw from a wide range
of GIS applications to assist in the design, implementation and evaluation of sustainable development projects and
programs.
This class is designed for students new to GIS and those who have had some experience. Students are welcome to
bring their own data for the final project or to discuss how GIS tools may be useful for data exploration and
research.
- Topics on: Analytics, Data Science, Geography
- Course
This course is designed to provide students with working knowledge on how to make successful investments in
sustainable companies and to prepare students to be conversationally literate in financial reporting. As you leave the
school and become leaders of organizations, financial literacy will be a skill set that will be vital to success no
matter what career path you go down. It starts with a strong foundation in accounting and corporate finance, then
moves on to ESG/Impact screening of potential investments, along with valuation techniques used to arrive at a
purchase price. It will explore financial models that can aggregate multiple variables used to drive investment
decisions.
- Topics on: Finance
- Course
The course introduces practitioners of sustainability management to the data analysis techniques and
statistical methods which are indispensable to their work. The class teaches how to build statistical
substantiation and to critically evaluate it in the context of sustainability problems. The statistics topics
and examples have been chosen for their special relevance to sustainability problems, including
applications in environmental monitoring, impact assessment, and econometric analyses of sustainable
development. Students are assumed to have had no previous exposure to statistics.
- Topics on: Analytics, Data Science, Reporting and Measurement
- Course
Over the past two decades, public and private institutions have set clear targets for environmental, economic, and
social performance and they are increasingly using analytical tools to assess problems and measure progress. The
advent of “Big Data” has accelerated this work – and opened up new possibilities and challenges. This course will
examine the use of data and metrics to shape and implement sustainability policies and programs and to assess and
communicate their outcomes.
The course will survey a range of real-world sustainability challenges and evaluate the choices confronting public
officials, private companies, NGO’s, advocates, and citizens – and the data that can be used to diagnose problems,
develop solutions, and measure success. Particular focus will be given to urban sustainability efforts and corporate
sustainability. We will explore how data can be used and misused in each of these domains. Throughout we will
emphasize the importance of context, comparability, and completeness of information.
Students will be required to critically evaluate what they read and hear. In addition, the course will give students an
opportunity to learn how to express their ideas verbally and in written form and conduct a critical analysis of how
environmental data is used to develop and implement public policy. Assignments will give students the opportunity
to use their technical and analytical skills while understanding the real-world applications that will be important to
their future work as planners, policymakers, advocates, architects, environmentalists, or other professions. The
course will feature guest lectures from speakers who are leaders in their fields. Lecture topics may be moved to
accommodate speaker travel and availability. Notice will be provided to students in advance of any schedule
changes.
- Topics on: Analytics, Data Science, Reporting and Measurement
- Course
The urgency to tackle sustainability-related global problems has revealed the growing need to create, maintain and
analyze data on environmental and social issues with robust methodologies. The availability of nascent sustainability
datasets and advanced data tools such as GIS, machine learning, and blockchain has expanded our capabilities for
quick and agile decision-making in the sustainability space. However, compared to real-time economic data, timely
and reliable environmental and social data are very much lacking.
Sustainability indicators are able to transform a vast amount of information about our complex environment into
concise, policy-applicable and manageable information. There is a very large universe of indicators to measure the
sustainability performance of an entity, but the critical question is what to use and how many indicators should be
evaluated. Sustainability indicators are either presented in a structured framework that can be used to isolate and
report on relevant indicators, or aggregated towards a composite index or score/rating.
The number of indicators used for assessing sustainability have proliferated, with hundreds of sustainability related
indices around the world, including the Ecological Footprint, the Human Development Index, green accounting,
Sustainable Development Goals, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) co-developed by Columbia University
and Yale University, the Urban Sustainability Ranking System that I helped develop, and various carbon indices.
The course is divided into three sections. The first section will visit different definitions of sustainability to outline
the theoretical premises on which current data practices and policies are built, and then outline the most commonly
used frameworks and indices that are used to measure sustainability. The second section focuses on the construction
of sustainability indices or composite indicators, and outline the methods frequently used in constructing indices,
such as standardization, weighting, and aggregation, and analyze how sustainability frameworks can assist in the
selection of indicators, which is often the most important yet most inconsistent step in constructing an index. The
last section focuses on how composite sustainability indicators are used in practice. This section will discuss the
SDGs, urban sustainability indicators, environmental performances indices, the relationship between sustainability
and financial performance, the relationship between sustainability and business performance, how to use
sustainability data to make investment decisions with a case study on impact investment evaluation.
The course will highlight the strengths and limitations of data that contribute to the selection of proper indicators,
the methods for their normalization and aggregation into indices, and their use in the real world. For example,
students will learn how to use different datasets and calculation guidelines to assess cities’ environmental, and social
footprint. This will help students gain the knowledge of data sources, and process these data through suitable
methodologies to identify the sustainability-related risks and opportunities. Students will learn to critically assess
existing indicators and indices, focusing on data cleanliness and robustness, and to construct their own
index/rating/ranking for a thematic area and a region using the software they are most comfortable using (e.g.,
Excel, SPSS, Stata, R, Python, etc.).
- Topics on: Analytics, Data Science, Reporting and Measurement
- Course
The urgency to tackle sustainability-related global problems has revealed the growing need to create, maintain and
analyze data on environmental and social issues with robust methodologies. The availability of large datasets and
advanced data tools such as GIS, machine learning, and blockchain has expanded our capabilities for quick and agile
decision-making in the corporate and urban space. However, more data does not necessarily mean better solutions.
This course will explore the relationship between sustainability and data from corporate and urban perspectives,
focusing on how data is created, analyzed and used to make decisions. The course is divided into three sections. The
first section focuses on measuring sustainability and will start by visiting different definitions of sustainability to
outline the theoretical premises on which current data practices and policies are built. The second section focuses on
examples of sustainability/ESG data in corporate management through case studies such as Home Depot, Amazon,
Nestle and others. The last section focuses on disclosure and use of data by different stakeholders, with special
attention on data integrity, data contingencies and disclosure risks. This section will address developing trends in
voluntary and mandatory data disclosure frameworks.
The course will highlight the importance of actionable data, purpose-driven analysis and the selection of proper
indicators. Moreover, students will learn how to find and use different datasets and calculation guidelines to assess
corporations and cities’ environmental, and social footprint. This will help students gain the knowledge of a vast
array of data sources such as World Bank Open Dataset, UN SDG Indicators, WRI Aqueduct, FactSet ESG data,
MSCI, WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter and Water Risk Monatizer; and process these data through suitable
methodologies including basic data analytics, statistics, environmental footprint assessment, scenario analysis and
other tools. The course will also present practical examples of the collection and reporting process of corporate data
to comply with CSRD, GRI, SASB, TCFD, CDP and other reporting frameworks, providing insights into the
concepts of data cleanliness, robustness, materiality analysis and stakeholder focus. Students will learn how to apply
this knowledge both for immediate needs of companies to meet the growing investor interest and regulatory
expectations, and to develop sustainability solutions.
- Topics on: Analytics, Data Science, Reporting and Measurement
- Course
The course provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges of transnational financing from public and private
sources that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation investments intended to address climate change. Although there is increased and widespread commitment to taking climate action on the part of corporations, financial institutions, countries and sub-national actors, there remains a paucity of examples where a just transition has been furthered. The conditions engendered by the advent of widespread pandemics have exacerbated global differences in capacity and access to
solutions. Nevertheless, the emergence of new financial mechanisms and global cooperative responses to the pandemic
have revealed potential methods to finance enhancements in mitigation and adaptation in the regions where these are most
lacking. We examine current capital and trade flows and their relationship to flows of embedded carbon, methods of
carbon pricing and the implementation of low-carbon pathways, with an evaluation of decentralized co-benefits that can
advance sustainable development. We combine analysis of carbon accounting and financial structuring to design potential
investments in example decarbonization projects which integrate additionality in mitigation and adaptation, co-benefits
and poverty alleviation.
- Topics on: Finance
- Course
Carbon markets have become a central tool in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This course
explores the economics, institutions, and pricing mechanisms that shape these markets, providing students with a
fundamental description and analysis of emissions trading systems (ETS), carbon taxes, voluntary carbon markets,
internal carbon transfer pricing and emerging financial instruments. Beginning with microeconomic foundations
such as externalities and market-based climate policies, students will analyze the role of international organizations
and regulatory frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, and regional policies like the EU
Green Deal, the California carbon market and RGGI. Through real-world case studies, students will evaluate carbon
pricing mechanisms across jurisdictions and industries, gaining the analytical skills necessary to assess policy
effectiveness and market integrity. Designed for graduate students in environmental economics, public policy,
sustainability, and finance, this course is particularly relevant for those pursuing careers in climate policy, carbon
finance, and international development.
This course serves as a critical component of the environmental policy and sustainability curriculum, bridging
economic theory with practical policy implementation. By integrating key concepts from environmental economics,
climate governance, and financial markets, it reinforces students’ understanding of how carbon pricing aligns with
broader sustainability goals. Additionally, the course supports programmatic objectives by equipping students with
the technical expertise and policy fluency needed to navigate and shape carbon markets. Whether students aim to
work in governmental agencies, international organizations, or private-sector sustainability roles, this course
provides the necessary foundation to engage with one of the most dynamic areas of climate policy.
- Topics on: Decarbonization, Economics, Governance
- Course
Existing energy sources and the infrastructures that deliver them to users around the world are undergoing
a period of rapid change. Limits to growth, rapidly fluctuating raw material prices, and the emergence of
new technology options all contribute to heightened risk and opportunity in the energy sector. The
purpose of this course is to establish a core energy skill set for energy students and prepare them for more
advanced energy courses by providing a basic language and toolset for understanding energy issues.
Using theoretical and practical understanding of the process by which energy technologies are developed,
financed, and deployed, this course seeks to highlight the root drivers for change in the energy industry,
the technologies that are emerging, and the factors that will determine success in their commercialization.
Understanding these market dynamics also informs good policy design and implementation to meet a
broad range of social welfare goals.
Upon completing the course, students should not only understand the nature of conventional and
emerging energy generation and delivery, but also the tools for determining potential winners and losers
and the innovative pathways to drive their further deployment.
- Topics on: Economics, Energy, Innovation
- Course
In an era of growing environmental and social awareness, supply chains have emerged as a powerful lever for
driving sustainability in operations. Supply chain emissions are, on average, 11.4 times higher than operational
emissions, making them a critical focal point for impactful change in operations. This course explores the
essential role of supply chains in achieving sustainable outcomes and equips students with the tools and insights
needed to transform conventional practices into innovative, responsible, and efficient systems. This course is part of
a broader curriculum aimed at cultivating leaders who can integrate sustainability into the heart of business strategy.
It is designed for students from diverse professional and academic backgrounds, no prior experience in operations or
supply chain management is required to excel in this course.
Through this interdisciplinary journey, students will gain a robust foundation in supply chain management, learning
to integrate sustainability principles across operations. The course balances analytical skills with creative
problem-solving, preparing students to address real-world challenges. Upon completing this course, students will
gain a comprehensive skillset to analyze, design, and implement sustainable operations solutions in their future
careers. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic role of supply chains in modern
economies, including their critical impact in decarbonization efforts. Students will also learn to apply key analytical
tools such as demand forecasting and risk assessment, while mastering strategies for sourcing, supplier management,
and logistics optimization.
- Topics on: Operations
- Course
Cities are the structure that evolved over time to deal with the constant tension between serving the needs of an
ever-growing population and depleting the world’s finite resources. There is an increasing belief that cities hold the
key to achieving sustainability. A great paradox of the transition to a sustainable economy is that it will not be
achieved in rural places in harmony with nature but rather in cities built to exploit nature without destroying it. On
the other hand, cities are also where many of our crisis originate, such as the climate change and the COVID-19
pandemic.
To be sustainable in a brain-based economy, cities need to follow sustainable practices and secure buy-in from the
public, the government, and the private sector. Everyone needs to invest time, energy, and money to create the
sustainable city. The infrastructure to support the generation and transmission of renewable energy; develop mass
and personal transit; and treat and transform water, sewage, and solid waste can be built and even managed by
private contractors. It still requires, however, a public sector that is active, ethical, sophisticated, and able to form
productive public-private partnerships. Environmentally conscious consumers are driving many of these initiatives
by companies and government through their lifestyle changes in consumption and in work. This course will discuss
perspectives and the changes that are needed from all of these stakeholders.
This course focuses on cities because place matters. Economic, technological, and cultural forces are moving people
out of rural areas and into urban areas. The urban migration now under way is a worldwide phenomenon that
reached a critical inflection point in 2007, when for the first time, most of the people on the planet lived in cities.
This course will also discuss sustainable cities from the perspectives of low-income countries where sustainability
awareness is lower than in high-income countries, even though the need for sustainability is arguably greater in the
former. For that reason, this course will include a broader perspective on building sustainable cities, and not just as a
way to live in harmony with nature but also as a sustainable engine for economic and social development.
Urbanization is going to continue, especially in middle- and low-income countries. However, in the past few years,
we have observed alarming trends toward greater urban inequality and increasingly nationalistic politics. We
examine these trends in this course and discuss whether urban sustainability can serve as a new model of inclusive
and environmentally sound growth.
- Topics on: Infrastructure, Resilence
- Course
Today, we operate in a “linear” (take, make, dispose) economy that is defined by a reliance on large quantities of
cheap materials and energy that are typically “finite” in nature. This approach is proving unsustainable and presents
problems that include the degradation of natural systems, economic and structural waste, as well as “supply” risks,
as our planet reaches its physical limits.
Against a backdrop of population growth, these problems are only set to get worse. Yet at the same time, an
unprecedented alignment of technological and societal factors is enabling the transition to a new model possible at
scale.
A circular economy is an alternative economic model, that is restorative by design, and rather than relying on a
constant throughput of newly extracted resources and nonrenewable energy, aims to keep materials, products and
components constantly at their highest utility and value.
This elective course will delve into both the theory and practical applications of a circular economy. Achieving
perfect circularity (which would theoretically be a state of complete systemic regeneration and restoration,
optimized resource utility and zero waste) represents potentially transformative system change and will involve a
fundamental rethink of many of our structures, systems and processes in the economy at large. At the same time, its
value creation potential for businesses, households and the environment alike, is extremely significant. For example,
manufacturers can reclaim substantial value from the products they develop by introducing take-back schemes to
reclaim components and materials for reuse or recycling, as opposed to allowing them to go to waste as would
typically be the case in a linear system.
We will explore the theoretical underpinnings of a circular economy, including systems thinking (taking relevant
learnings from biomimicry and industrial ecology). We will look at circular design principles and explore their use
in different industries. We will pose the question of which stakeholders can help to facilitate this transition to
circularity, and what enablers, in the form of policy and financing, will need to be in place to allow it to progress.
The exploration of new and emerging business models will form a significant part of this class. From sharing models
to “product as a service” models, these new ways of doing business provide inherent opportunities and incentives for
businesses to rethink how they can create value while simultaneously optimizing resource use and remaining at the
competitive edge.
- Topics on: Circular Economy
- Course
This course is designed for those who hold or will hold positions in organizations with responsibilities for
mapping and managing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues for an organization. These
responsibilities can vary and may include setting and tracking against sustainability goals, communicating
progress towards targets, and engaging with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, suppliers,
customers, and investors.
We will explore the interplay between an organization’s ESG/sustainability strategy and its reporting, as well as
the interplay between corporate or organizational strategy and ESG/sustainability strategy. Expectations for how
today’s companies operate are rapidly evolving. It is increasingly recognized that by implementing sustainability
management mechanisms, organizations can better manage physical, regulatory, technological, and reputational
risks, as well as create value through efficiencies and innovation. Embedding sustainability into the organization’s
DNA necessitates organizations expanding their strategic planning processes. But effectively communicating the
connection between an ESG management and reporting strategy, and an organization’s viability, remains a
challenge – one that this course will address directly.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement provide the context and parameters for the
long-term global sustainability agendas designed to streamline progress around common goals. Frameworks and
standards, including the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Sustainability Accounting
Standards Board (SASB), CDP, the Value Reporting Foundation, <IR> Integrated Reporting, World Economic
Forum (WEF) Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), build upon these
parameters.
Students will gain familiarity with these standards and more in this course, because implementing aligned
sustainability strategies and reporting practices – with the goal of integrating with mainstream financial reports
(Annual/10K) plus recent ESG rules from the SEC – enables organizations to consider ESG opportunities
alongside traditional strategy. Comprehensive ESG communications, though, go beyond sustainability reporting
frameworks. They factor in ESG rankers and raters, as well as corporate and organizational governance strategies
and reporting, including mainstream financial reports, plus materiality assessments. This course will address these
elements.
Effective sustainability communications require thoughtful consideration of these frameworks and standards to
determine which ones, and why, are appropriate for an organization and its stakeholders. We see a trend toward a
convergence of standards while reporting frameworks, standards, and mechanisms continue to proliferate and
evolve. Both voluntary and mandatory reporting requirements are on the rise. Focused, specific, and meaningful
communication is essential, and this class will challenge students to tailor their ESG/sustainability
communications to specific organizations and business structures in innovative ways.
- Topics on: Business, ESG, Management
- Course
Sustainability management matters because we only have one planet and we must learn how to manage our organizations in a way that ensures that our planet is maintained. The course is
designed to introduce you to the field of sustainability management. This is not an academic course that reviews the literature of the field and discusses how scholars think about the
management of organizations that are environmentally sound. It is a practical, professional course organized around the core concepts of management and the core concepts of sustainability. The course will have a specific emphasis on urban sustainability as the planet’s urban population continues to expand.
Each week we will read one or two cases in management and/or sustainability along with some background material designed to help you answer questions posed at the end of each case
exercise. The cases always pose practical issues for decision makers to address—but issues that are best addressed with a firm grounding in the literature of management and sustainability.
The literature and case material we will study this semester are based on lessons learned in government, nonprofits, and the private sector. However, most of my own work focuses on
government and nonprofits, so this course will emphasize management in public and nonprofit organizations and the role of public policy in sustainability. In this course, you will be assigned to one team that will present a briefing in class on an assigned position for a particular case. You will also write three, two-page memos according to a specified format (see “Action Memo Format” document on Courseworks). The syllabus includes a schedule for each assignment. There is also a semester project in which you will write your own case study
on sustainability management. This assignment is due on December 12th. To facilitate class discussion, I will also assign you (in advance of class) discussion quotes and questions from my State of the Planet weekly blog piece which will focus on our weekly topics. These questions are
available on Courseworks.
- Topics on: Business, Management
- Course
Since the first Earth Day in 1970, artists around the globe have increasingly turned their focus to ecological issues,
creating artwork that addresses threats to a sustainable future, including the impacts of loss of biodiversity, rising sea
levels, extreme weather events, plastic pollution, and the fragility of our shared ecosystems, particularly on the most
vulnerable communities. Through public and community-based art and exhibitions in local and international
institutional settings, artists raise awareness of the need to act collectively, creating tangible points of public
engagement. Beyond calling for immediate and sustained action, they point toward paths of resilience and
adaptation, at times offering concrete and immediate solutions. Artists challenge worldviews that have led to the
challenges faced today, and suggest conceptual alternatives to anthropocentric and colonial approaches to nature.
They amplify historical inequities and the urgent need for environmental and social justice for underrepresented
groups through their artwork. Artists inspire and disrupt by cultivating new narratives and giving form to the
invisible, unimagined or ignored, demonstrating how art can help awaken resolve and shape our next steps. They
invite viewer participation and collective action, and in the process, they expand our potential for empathy and
increase agency for all life.
The artists covered in the course are cognizant of the need for systemic social change in order to achieve policy
change. Blurring the boundaries between art and activism, many are working collaboratively across disciplines to
address both the physical and ethical dimensions of sustainability. Through reading a range of texts drawn from the
environmental humanities, this course will examine how contemporary art serves as an important catalyst in
information sharing and changing perceptions, paving the way towards increased participation in developing and
supporting sustainable and equitable global futures. Artists focus on local and global environmental issues, and at
times partner with scientists to offer novel solutions. The course will equip future sustainability managers with a
language for cross disciplinary conversation, and deepen their understanding of different perspectives and concerns,
strengthening their ability to identify and overcome obstacles to progress.
The course is designed for students who are interested in the contribution that art can make in creating fresh
paradigms for promoting sustainability. The course is a full semester, in-person elective offered during the Fall
semester. There are no prerequisites for this course. Students should have an interest in interpreting images and in
considering the relationship between cultural expression and sustainability. Cross-registration is available to students
outside of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program, space permitting.
- Topics on: Art
- Course
The origin of the American Environmental Justice Movement can be traced back to the emergence of the American
Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and more specifically to the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964. These historical
moments set the stage for a movement that continues to grow with present challenges and widening of economic,
health and environmental disparities between racial groups and socioeconomic groups. The environmental justice
movement builds upon the philosophy and work of environmentalism, which focuses on humanity’s adverse impact
upon the environment, entailing both human and non-human existence. However, environmental justice stresses the
manner in which adversely impacting the environment in turn adversely impacts the population of that environment.
At the heart of the environmental justice movement are the issues of racism and socioeconomic injustice.
This course will examine the intersections of race, equity, and the environment – focusing on history and the
growing role and impact of the environmental justice movement in shaping new sustainability discourses, ethics,
policies, and plans for the twenty-first century. Environmental Justice embeds various disciplines into its analytical
framework ranging from human geography and history to urban studies, economics, sociology, environmental
science, public policy, community organizing, and more. Drawing from these disciplines, as well as from recent
policies, advocacy, and regulations, students will develop a deeper understanding of equity, sustainability, social
impact, and environmental justice in places and spaces across the nation.
Building on the broadness of environmental justice and sustainability, this course will use the geography lens and
frameworks, building on the concept that geography brings together the physical and human dimensions of the
world in the study of people, places, and environments. Geography will set the stage for us to explore a variety of
environmental justice topics and issues in different regions across the nation, from the Black Belt South to the Rust
Belt to Cancer Alley, New Orleans, and Atlanta; then back to New York City and the metropolitan area, introducing
students to initiatives, policies, stakeholders, research, community groups, and advocacy involved in the
development and implementation of environmental laws, policies, practices, equity-based solutions, and sustainable
infrastructure. Throughout the course, we will review the impact and implications of particular policies, as well
assess case studies of particular communities. The course will also invite guest scholars currently working in the
field to share their views and expertise.
- Topics on: Geography, Justice
- Course
Electricity is the lifeblood of human society. Decarbonization of global economies through electrification is seen as the most viable path for reducing GHG emissions and addressing the worst effects of climate change. Though generally accepted as the best path forward, an understanding of the operational
parameters of the electric system is essential to understanding both the benefits and limitations of current and future actions. This includes the highly visible investments in renewable energy generation, less visible but equally important investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure, and the largely
personal, private choices of individual households and businesses.
The Course will be conducted in-person and students will be graded based on a combination of class participation, problem sets, an individual mid-term paper and a group final paper and presentation. There are no cross-registration requirements for this course. Recommended additional materials may be required
when needed and provided by the instructor.
- Topics on: Decarbonization, Energy, Policy
- Course
The World Bank has estimated that the global cost of corruption is at least $2.6 trillion, or 5% of the global gross
domestic product (GDP). Businesses and individuals pay over $1 trillion in bribes annually, which does not account
for billions of dollars of both humanitarian and development aid that pass clandestinely from public to private hands,
billions lost to tax evasion, and billions funneled to and from illegal trafficking. In addition, it does not account for
billions of dollars enmeshed in conflicts of interest, ranging from campaign donations to regulatory loopholes and
“private gain from public office”. All such transactions occur in globally widespread yet deeply cryptic arenas. In
this money-based environment, “what is just” in the distribution of programmatic goods fluctuates continuously,
depending upon whose participation is permissible, assessable, and verifiable in decision processes. Some voices
are loudly heard, others are barely heard, and still others are unheard; and the difference depends significantly upon
the existing distribution of wealth, including the gateway conditions it projects, particularly power and privilege. In
this complex situation variously tainted by and saturated with unethical conduct, the advancement and success of
sustainability, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), require positive applications of ethics in
all reaches of human activity. What are such applications? What ethics and ethical means are necessary and integral
to the advancement and success of sustainability? Many new practical ethics, framed by scholars and practitioners
since the 1960s, are promoted today by individuals and organizations, including businesses of all sizes, national and
international governmental organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs, also called non-profit
non-governmental organizations, or NGOs), loosely structured social movements, and clearly or vaguely defined
neighborhoods. In what forms and at what levels of sustainability management are the new ethics to be articulated,
espoused and activated?
This course seeks to identify, explain and explore sustainability ethics and the ways in which they can be
systematically instituted by sustainability managers in continuous processes of policy, program and project design,
implementation, critique and review. The course material is divided into three main sections: challenges, pathways
and practices. Challenges include particularly the perennial human problem of land- and power-grabbing, which
occurs today on a worldwide scale seething with issues of climate, conflict and corruption—issues that thwart
ecology, society and economy, the three pillars characteristically understood to support sustainability. Pathways, which extend to corporations, partnerships, movements and communities, are directions that can be followed to
alleviate or eliminate those challenges. Practices, which occur in the wide arenas of production, transaction,
distribution and development, are the primary forms of human activity that make sustainability management
sustainable—insofar as they are ethical. Throughout the course, specific ethics and ethical values are introduced: in
the 1st section, earth justice, environmental justice, and sectoral justice are explored; in the 2nd, the standpoints of
corporate social responsibility (CSR), environment, society and governance (ESG), socially responsible investment
(SRI), and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are compared; and in the 3rd, the values of care, transparency,
resilience and wellbeing are examined. Reference is also made to three critical issues of our monetized capitalist
world: commodification, privatization and financialization. These issues are palpable in the ceaseless effort to
finance sustainability, especially the SDGs. While sustainability management requires the understanding and
application of complex science, both natural and social, the efficacy of science in producing human and
environmental goods depends upon ethical evaluations of need, use, and harm, together with ethical conduct at all
levels of management. Knowledge of the ethical expectations of decision processes promotes the possibility of
achieving such goods. Yet today, achieving them for all is critically precarious, largely because a subsistence
lifestyle is no longer an alternative accessible to the human population in general. Ethical issues have become
global, and calls for their resolution are increasingly desperate, rancorous and volatile.
- Topics on: Business, Ethics, Finance