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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CS/MGT 310"
COURSE NAME: "Technologies and Strategies for the Sustainable Enterprise"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Stefano Gazziano
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Placement into MA197 or completion of MA 100 or MA 101; Junior standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) impact the environment in various ways, ranging from the extraction of resources to produce machines, to their disposal as e-waste. Server farms consume a massive amount of energy and water resources, contributing to climate change. On the other hand, positive impacts of digital technologies are also evident in transports, energy efficiency and conservation, service industry, and social life. This course investigates the enabling technologies related to ICT and energy to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) in all segments of the creation of value, and the evaluation of the environmental impact according to ESG (environmental, social, governance) criteria and government systems of compliance. The course also discusses ongoing and future approaches and technological tools to continuously monitor and improve performance, thus assuring compliance with emergent environmental and emission regulations.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course focuses on enterprise sustainability through a technological and strategic lens. It equips students with updated skills and knowledge on a topic that has evolved from a conservationist initiative into a global phenomenon. Today, ESG principles influence assets exceeding US$30 trillion. While many international universities are now offering ESG-related courses, these are predominantly in finance or management. This class aims to broaden that perspective.

The year 2025, in its first 100 days at the time of writing, seems to be a turning point for Sustainability importance in industry, as well as for  many more issues now very likely destined to be seen with different eyes. Not all future scenarios look brilliant, and hard facts will by necessity reset priorities in policy, industry, civil life.

Learning Outcomes - By the end of this course, students will:

●        Understand the origin and evolution of ESG and sustainability, as well as their importance to business.

●        Gain a foundational understanding of the GHG Protocol

●        Acquire core ESG competencies, including the skills and responsibilities essential for developing ESG frameworks and strategies.

●        Explore current technologies that enable ESG compliance.

●        Analyze and apply ESG strategies implemented by major global companies.

●        Demonstrate the ability to address different areas of the GHG Protocol (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) and prepare an ESG reporting framework

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 Next decade employability of JCU students will gain from a clear awareness of ESG tools and criteria.  A technology and strategy focused class on enterprise sustainability updates student skills to the most recent state of the art on an issue which has grown from a corporate social responsibility initiative launched by the United Nations into a global phenomenon representing more than US$30 trillion in assets, in less than 20 years. Many international universities are beginning to offer courses on ESG, mostly in the fields of finance or management.

Learning Outcomesa

- Understanding the evolution of ESG and government compliance and their its importance to business.
- Basic understanding of ESG core competencies, skills and responsibilities that are essential for developing ESG framework and strategy.
- Understanding the current state of the art of the available technologies enabling ESG compliance as described above. 
 - Awareness and application of ESG strategies by major global companies.
- Demonstrate ability to address the different areas of ESG (scopes 1,2,3) and prepare an ESG reporting framework.

 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Group Project 30
midterm 30
Final ESG report 40

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory, most tasks will be carried out by work groups. At home assignments will be considered when appropriate.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1 to 2

 Welcome to this exploration of sustainability strategies and technologies and their profound implications for our world, and your future career.

As students beginning a journey into the professional sphere, understanding sustainability can significantly enhance your potential in the job market.

Regardless of whether your goal is to join private corporations, international organizations, or entrepreneurial ventures, sustainability is now central to strategic decision-making.

Knowledge of sustainability empowers you to reduce environmental impacts, foster equitable social systems, and drive sustainable economic growth—contributing to a better, more resilient world.

This Course begins with a historical recap to provide essential context.   Why history?

Because understanding the evolution of sustainability—how we moved from philosophical musings to global policies—offers valuable insights.

The historical narrative connects philosophy, technology, and industrial development, helping us grasp the complexity of today’s challenges and how they shape tomorrow’s solutions.

This historical journey is not merely an academic exercise; it underscores how a once-philosophical debate has transformed into a global industrial and economic imperative.

Understanding this trajectory and the technologies, strategies and policies developed along the way up to present, prepares you to navigate—and shape—the sustainability challenges and opportunities of the future.

1 Welcome Note and Introduction to Sustainability
2 Historical Context
2.1 The early years
2.2 The MIT report “The limits to Growth”, 1972.
2.3 Discussion Items
2.4 The “Bruntland” report “Our Common Future”, 1987
2.5 Transition to Modern Sustainability Frameworks
2.6 The 17 “UN Sustainable Development Goals”, 2015.

Week 3 to 4

 3 Introduction to ESG and economic impact of sustainability
3.1 What is ESG? 
3.2 Why is ESG Important?
3.3 What is ESG Reporting?
3.4 Key Components of ESG Reporting:
3.5 Benefits of ESG Reporting:
3.6 ESG  and GHG protocol.
3.7 Sustainability  Importance for business and investors
3.8 Updates: changes and developments in sustainability policies in 2025
3.9 Conclusion 
 
 Week 5 to 7  4 Measuring Sustainability : The GHG Protocol
4.1 What is the GHG Protocol?
4.2 Purpose
4.3 Key Concepts
4.4 Core Standards:
4.5 Applications
4.6 Significance
4.7 The 5 principles
4.8 Organisational Boundaries
4.9 Operational Boundaries
4.10 The GHG Protocol's seven standards
4.11 GHG Corporate standard  – Procedures
4.12 Examples
4.13 GHG Corporate : Inventory
4.14 GHG CORPORATE verification process:
4.15 GHG CO2 equivalent exercise
4.16 Other GHG Protocols and Guidelines
4.17 The GHG PROJECT  Protocol
4.18 Applications of GHG Project Protocol
5 Carbon Markets: history and case studies.
5.1 How Carbon Markets Work
5.2 Who Operates Carbon Markets?
5.3 Historical Development of Carbon Markets
5.4 Key Carbon Markets Around the World
5.5 Carbon Credits
5.6 Key Concepts in Carbon Credits
5.7 How Carbon Credits Work
5.8 Types of Carbon Credits
5.9 Carbon Offsetting Projects
5.10 Benefits of Carbon Credits
5.11 Criticisms and Controversies
5.12 Future of Carbon Credits
5.13 Challenges and Future Trends
 
 Week 8  Recap and Midterm
 Week 9  6 ESG reporting
6.1 The typical structure of an ESG report
6.2 Other significan ESG reports
6.3 Unique Elements of Specific Reports
6.4 Template for an ESG Report
6.5 Criticism on ESG as it hampers productivity with little gains in terms of slowing planet global warming.
 Week 10-12  7 Sustainable applied technologies (energy, life cycle, ccs)
7.1 Forewords and short Introduction to renewable energies 
7.2 CSP – Concentrated Solar Power
7.3 Photovoltaic
7.4 Geothermal energy
7.5 Hydrogen
7.6 Wind Power: Technologies, Data, and Impact
7.7 Hydroelectric
7.8 Biofuels
7.9 Decarbonization and Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS)
7.10 Life cycle assessment (LCA)
7.11 Elementary ntroduction to Nuclear Energy
 Weel 13

 8 Economic, social and technological impact of Renewable Energy Technologies
8.1 A – Economic analysis case studies: IRENA and NREL .
8.2 The NREL JEDI (Jobs and Economic Development Impact) model

RECAP
 Week 14  RECAP and Final Exam