This 3 sentence summary provides the key details from the document: The document is a 5 page course outline for a sustainability management course at Ryerson University, which will take place over 4 weeks and cover topics like sustainability reporting, strategic sustainability, and global standards. It lists the course objectives, meeting times, required textbooks, assignments including a business case study, and evaluation criteria including exams, participation, and a final assignment. The course aims to help students gain skills and knowledge for sustainability professional roles.

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Ryerson University – The Chang School
Course: CKSS 101 – Sustainability Management II
Course Outline for Green Economy Program (January to February 2016)
Instructors: M.B (Amir) Bahadori mohammadbagher.bahad@ryerson.ca
Instructors Office Hours: Contact instructor to arrange for meeting/discussion times.
The Chang School Office Hours: Monday to Thursday – 8:00am – 7:00pm
Friday – 8:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday – 8:15am – 1:15pm or by appointment
Every effort will be made to manage the course as stated. However, adjustments may be necessary at the
discretion of the instructor(s). If so, students will be advised and alterations discussed in the class prior to
implementation. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they understand the University’s policies and
procedures, in particular those relating to course management and academic integrity. A list of relevant
policies is included at the end of this outline.
We live in challenging times. New leaders are enhancing their "inner game" to maximize their organizational
impact, and using the principles of sustainability to help their organizations thrive and innovate in response to
21st century challenges.
Today we live in a fractured unsustainable society and economy. Alone, we are locked in our homes and
offices, cut off from different views, skills and solutions. If we want a better future we need to learn to truly
partner to share assets, ideas, energy and emotion. Those individuals and organizations that not just recognize
this, but can do something about it, will prosper together in the future.
Learning Outcomes & Objectives:
 Sustainability Management II offers information, tools, techniques and tactics that will help
Sustainability professional and businesses to move sustainability forward and deal with the challenges
upon us. Sustainability is of strategic importance to a business. This course makes a strong case for why
actions are essential and how sustainability will assist a business to thrive in competitive marketplaces.
This will include Sustainability reporting, Communication skills, decision making, Strategic
Sustainability, Marketing in Sustainable management, and Sustainability Standards.
 Building on CKSS 100, the second foundation course will identify and analyze key sustainability
problems that society faces today and in future. This course will explore sustainability issues in depth
to provide students with an understanding of political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental
elements involved in the decisions.
 With an understanding of how we address sustainability issues developed in the first foundation
course, this second course will critically examine the specific natures of many obstacles to
sustainability, and the impacts unsustainable practices are having on society and the environment and
finding sustainable solutions by using the highly desired and important tools and techniques which are
required to address a broad range of sustainability problems. Thereof this course is intended to provide
context for the breadth of issues in sustainability that will be explored in greater detail in electives
offerings.

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 This course also provide participants with the knowledge to start or enhance their organizations
sustainability reporting projects through providing a relevant overview of sustainability reporting
frameworks and best practices. Additionally, participants will gain an enhanced ability to assess and
evaluate other organization’s sustainability reports.
The course includes:
 What is sustainability reporting?
 History of sustainability reporting
 What is the value of sustainability reporting
 Who is reporting?
 Why to companies report?
 The value of sustainability reporting, frameworks for reporting, GHG emissions reporting, the Global
Reporting Initiative, Regulatory reporting, relationship to investor relations, how to prepare a
sustainability report, materiality assessment, best practices, and verification.
 The types of sustainability reports
Important Note: A 2013 Ernst & Young study shows that 95% of the Global 250 and thousands of other
companies around the world, issue sustainability reports. Additionally, data from sustainability reports are
increasingly being used by investors. For example, in 2009, Bloomberg made access to more than 100
sustainability data points available to subscribers as part of its regular subscription. In 2010, investors viewed
more than 50,000,000 of these indicators and there continues to be significant momentum in this area. All
organizations need to start collecting, managing &reporting sustainability data as stakeholders demand
increased transparency around environmental, social & governance risks.
 Strategic Sustainability
 Link to financial performance
 Reputation risk
 Employee engagement
 Improved access to capital
 “What gets measured gets managed”
 Benefits: Why sustainability matters
 The rules and regulation in reports
 Global Reporting Initiatives
 Variety of sustainability standards including international standard ISO 26000
 UN Global Compact
 GRI overview with focus on new GRI G4 indicators
 Environmental Reporting
 GHG reporting (WRI GHG Protocol overview)
 Water/Energy/Waste reporting
 Regulatory Reporting in Canada
 Integrated reporting/standardization
 General overview of how to produce a sustainability report
 What should I report on?
 Materiality assessment
 Stakeholder engagement
 Strategies and approaches
 Best practices in sustainability reporting

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DURATION
Four (4) weeks of classes, with three classes per week. Lecture (class time) - 3 hours/class.
MEETING TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 11th-February 8th, 6:00pm-9:00pm. Room location:
Community MicroSkills Development Centre, 200 Consumers Road, 9th Floor, Toronto, ON, M2J 4R4
TEXTBOOK & READING LIST
The books listed below are used for this course. They are provided by the Chang School of Ryerson University
for the Green Economy Bridging program participants only. These books should not be re-distributed or copied
without prior written authorization from the sustainability management certificate academic coordinator.
 Sustainability Principles and Practice
 Strategic Sustainability: Why it matters to your business and home
 Making the Most of Standards: The Sustainability Professional's
 Understanding G4: The Concise Guide to Next Generation Sustainability
 Varity of articles/case studies from the global Sustainability Industries
 Guest Speakers from Sustainability Professionals
Every effort will be made to manage the course as stated. However, adjustments may be necessary at the
discretion of the instructor(s) and the Academic Coordinator. If so, students will be advised and alterations
discussed in the class prior to implementation.
It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they understand the University’s policies and procedures, in
particular those relating to course management and academic integrity. A list of relevant policies is included at
the end of this outline.
Teaching Method and Course Evaluation:
Guidelines for assignments will be posted and found in the D2L online learning management system.
3 hours of lecture per week for 4 weeks. This course will be taught with a combination of lectures, class
presentations by the instructor & the students, tutorials, class discussion, guest speakers & self-study/research.
Due to the limited time and high volume of information, students are urged and are expected to study the
chapters in advance and be prepared to contribute to the class room discussions. Students will have the
opportunity to attend in Capstone project preparation group activity. The grading will be based on
Sustainability Management certificate program. A variety of testing & grading techniques will be used to appeal
to the diversity of individual learning styles which includes:
Guidelines for assignments will be posted and found in the D2L online learning management system. All
PowerPoint Presentations used in their class will be uploaded on to D2L for later use by all students.
10% - Attendance (1% given for attendance in each session of our 4 weeks classes.);
15 % - Active Participation and interaction in Capstone project group activities, Individual contribution (current
news, articles, global events & activities or other course related topics)
35% - Course assignment: Individual/group assignment project include developing a Sustainability Business
Case based on pre-approved topic by instructor
40% - Final Exam
_____________
100%

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Final grades will be determined using the performance designations found in the Chang School’s
2015-2016 Course calendars, available online (www.ryerson.ca/ce).
Missed Presentation or Exam (Course Work):
Presentation must be performed as scheduled by the instructor. There will not make up date. Unless you are
specifically instructed otherwise, submission of presentation should be by electronic media. The instructor is
not responsible for printing any submitted material.
Course participants who miss presentation or the exam due to medical reasons or bereavement must submit
the pertinent documentation to the Chang School for the attention of the course instructor within three (3)
working days of the assignment’s due date. A copy of the Ryerson medical certificate is available online at
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/forms/medical.pdf. Students should ensure that all medical certificates are
date-stamped by office staff.
The Chang school 2016 calendar will be enforced entirely for this course.
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Plagiarism and/or cheating are unacceptable. Details of the Student Code of Academic Conduct are provided at
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol60.pdf. If you are unsure of what is acceptable, you should consult
with your supervisor/instructor.
Religious Observance Policy:
If you will require religious accommodation, you must make your request to the instructor(s) within the first
two weeks of the semester. You will need to complete and submit to your instructor(s) the request form which
is available at: http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/forms/relobserv.pdf. For additional clarification of the Religious
Observance Policy, see: http://www.ryerson.ca/studentguide/AcademicMatters3.html.
Classroom Civility:
Any successful learning experience requires mutual respect on the part of the student and the instructor(s).
Neither instructor(s) nor student should be subject to others’ behavior that is rude, disruptive, intimidating, or
demeaning. The instructor(s) has primary responsibility for and control over classroom behavior and
maintenance of academic integrity. Student conduct which disrupts the learning process shall not be tolerated
and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from class.
Instructor(s) responsibilities: Start and end class on time; Treat all students with courtesy and respect; be open
to constructive input from students in the course; ensure that opportunities to participate are enjoyed equally
by all students in the course.
Student responsibilities: Come to class on time, and refrain from packing up belongings before class ends; turn
off all electronic devices that might create a disruption in class; be quiet and give full respectful attention while
either instructor(s) or another student is speaking; when speaking, use courteous, respectful language and
keep comments and questions relevant to the topic at hand.
Safety and Emergencies:
Consistent with the intent of the Student Code of Conduct, each student must take all reasonable care to
ensure a healthy and safe learning environment.
In the event of an emergency, students and staff may be required to evacuate a classroom or building. During
such an event, it is the responsibility of students to move quickly from the classroom or building, without
endangering others. Further, it is the responsibility of all members of the Ryerson community to assist those
who may require assistance in evacuating, or who may need assistance in recognizing an evacuation signal.

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If you believe that you may require assistance in evacuating a room or building, you are encouraged to discuss
this with the instructor(s) and/or teaching assistants to ensure that they know how best to assist you.
For information on Ryerson’s Emergency Response, please refer to the Emergency Response signs posted near
each classroom phone, or visit the Centre for Environmental Health and Safety Management’s website:
http://www.ryerson.ca/cehsm/about/erp.html.
RYERSON ACADEMIC POLICIES:
For more information on Ryerson’s academic policies, visit the Senate website at www.ryerson.ca/senate.
Course Management Policy No. 145
Student Code of Academic Conduct No. 60
Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct No. 61
Examination Policy No. 135
Policy on Grading, Promotion, and Academic Standing Policy No. 46
Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals Policy No. 134
Accommodation of Student Religious Observance Obligations Policy No. 150