Singapore University of Social Sciences

This course ESG501 Sustainability Management examines the evolution of corporate sustainability and how it has been shaped by societal contexts and expectations. Students will learn about the functional benefits of sustainability for companies, such as organisational resilience and risk management. However, there are constraints and trade-offs, such as how best to deal with environmental externalities that are not priced into market transactions. Students will deep-dive into the increasing focus on corporate ESG disclosures and compliance, scrutinise the ESG pillars and measure positive impact in a rigorous and transparent manner. Students will critically explore the need for growth in a market economy and how this could conflict with resource and ecological limits. To challenge the students’ thinking, the course will conclude with divergent perspectives on whether companies can save the world through addressing pressing environmental and social issues such as climate change and global inequality.