Sustainability Leadership

The explosion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability into mainstream business decision-making has been fueled by a number of events, such as environmental pollution, and the increasing scarcity and competition for natural resources (the "green factor"). While many in the public would like to see business leaders promote workplace justice and operate their businesses in society's best interest - looking out for people, planet and profits - we repeatedly see failures where it has become painfully clear that profits were the only goal. It has become evident that the long-term success or failure of a business depends on making the right decisions and producing a well thought out plan in mitigating environmental risks and taking advantage of new opportunities. Factoring sustainability principles and practices into decision-making has become the new imperative for business and financial sustainability. This class is designed to help you identify tools and techniques to answer the question, "How do I apply sustainability principles and practices in my company?"

This course introduces a framework for marketing management in light of the socio-economic, cultural and legislative changes related to sustainability. It provides a survey of trends and an overview of concepts and techniques as they relate to marketing opportunities, marketing strategies and communicating effective marketing programs within the context of sustainable management. Students will engage in an exploration of the implications of sustainability and be challenged to critically analyze marketing strategies, plans and decisions. Analyze the social behavior toward green and sustainability and the role of marketing in promoting this cultural shift. Most importantly, gain the mindset of a marketer: the ability to inquire into real needs of the individual and society, and to serve them.

All sustainable change begins with a strategy. Strategic leadership is central to all business change initiatives designed to create positive impacts on society and the environment. Making an impact in sustainability leadership requires systems thinking and a life cycle approach that can overlay every major business decision. This type of systems thinking bridges vision and knowledge, integrates corporate profitability with responsible actions that produce social value, and requires that goals and objectives of a sustainability initiative reflect the core values of the organization. Gain the skills necessary to identify stakeholders and their interest, measure the effects of social and environmental benefits in order to advance corporate social responsibility goals in your organization and a framework for strategic problem solving. For business leaders, public policy and corporate managers integrating sustainability considerations into daily decision-making is imperative, not only in terms of corporate social responsibilities and risks - but also about corporate social opportunities.

A new era of concern regarding the condition of the Earth's environment has generated a wave of legal, business, educational and social developments in reaction to these conditions. A general sense of urgency, and the realization that there is little time to waste, has given rise to a host of legislative and regulatory enactments. Review global and federal developments, with particular attention on developments in California. Since the signing into law of the "California Global Warming Solutions Act" (AB 32), many California public agencies and private businesses have sought advice on how to enhance community sustainability. The course will also provide an overview of the LEED system for sustainable construction; will examine traditional professional and contract liabilities and how these liabilities and associated risks may be expected to play out in the new arena of sustainability. The applicable principles of contract law and professional liability will be reviewed.

What new skills and knowledge do you need to understand and apply the principles of sustainable development and green design/construction in a residential and community development project? This course gives you insight into the underlying principles of sustainable development, the practical application of green building practices, including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and their relevance to residential developments and communities. You will learn how to identify, assess, rate and rank green building practices and elements based on their return on investment and customer satisfaction. The U.S. Green Building Council's new LEED programs for new residential construction will be explained and their applications examined through case studies and local site visits of award winning projects. Guest speakers will provide their perspectives gained from practical experience in relevant sustainable design and construction elements. Gain the foundation of knowledge you need to integrate sustainable design practices into company structures and organization, enhance site and marketing analysis, and integrate into project planning and costing, financial considerations, construction operations, and implementing a green marketing plan. Learn the fundamentals of reducing the environmental footprint of residential buildings and developments.

Climate protection and environmental sustainability requires a systems engineering approach to develop and implement a Strategic Plan for climate protection and sustainable practices. In this course you will explore the forces driving sustainability change, the application of sustainable practices, and be guided through an analysis that will help you develop a vision and plan for implementation. Topics covered include: understanding the forces driving change, developing a Strategic Vision, identifying options and analyzing sustainability solutions, and developing and communicating a Sustainability, Climate Protection, or Impact Reduction Plan. Learn a systems approach to developing a sustainable business or community - whether to affect the bottom line for energy usage, develop new markets, or "Go Green".

Gain an in-depth understanding of the impact and control of water pollution from urban runoff and other human activities. Grasp new insight into the evolving role of comprehensive watershed protection management. Enhance your knowledge of topics that include: review of the permitting and monitoring requirements for construction, industrial, commercial, and residential activities with emphasis on Best Management Practices (BMPs); management of urban runoff from the facility, community and watershed perspectives; Low Impact Development (LID); Hydro-modification Plan (HMP); receiving waters Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs); and the roles of education and enforcement in the successful management of urban runoff pollution. A field trip provides hands-on, practical experience utilizing BMPs.

The spa industry has an opportunity to expand its role as an incubator that revolutionized spa and healthy lifestyle themes into a global industry to now also serve as an incubator for environmentally sensitive business practices. Recognized as resource and waste intensive, spas have an opportunity to implement sustainable business practices that can also improve the bottom line by understanding the criteria and benefits for selecting building materials, furnishings, equipment, products, waste management systems, and all aspects of operations and ongoing maintenance. This course will provide an overview of operational and management practices that serve as fundamentals for green spas. Topics will include: international greening trends in the spa industry; green business terminology; green building programs in the spa and hospitality industries; and green procurement.