ENE483 Sustainable Supply Chain I - The climate impact of transport, energy, and buildings in supply chains

• Topics

  This course examines challenges and opportunities pertaining to sustainability in supply chains. The course considers and evaluates how different supply chain functions contribute to climate change and what measures can be taken to reduce these impacts.

  Description

  Sustainability issues in supply chains can be challenging for organizations around the world. It can also present opportunities. The course will focus on the management of climate change issues in the supply chain. With an emphasis on mitigation strategies, the course will study the application of renewable energy and alternative, low-carbon, fuels throughout the supply chain including the different transportation modes and buildings (e.g., distribution centers). Life cycle thinking and assessment will permeate this module.

  A significant part of the class time in this course is dedicated to case discussions in break-out groups. Students are expected to read the case text before class, and make notes or highlights to help find potentially relevant information quickly.

  Tentative program:

  • Course introduction & Introduction to Supply Chains
  • Introduction and Application of Life Cycle Assessment
  • Energy Efficiency and Environmental & Climate Impacts
  • Transport decarbonization: land transport, air and sea.
  • Energy Management in Buildings.

  A companion course, Sustainable Supply Chain 2 - Circular Economy and Extended Corporate Responsibility, considers other supply chain sustainability aspects. That course and ENE483 can be taken independently of each other.

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Upon successful completion of the course, the student knows:

  • The main elements and aspects of sustainability in supply chains.
  • How to apply Life Cycle Assessment to supply chain functions.
  • The role of different means of transportation in supply chains.
  • The role of buildings in supply chains.
  • The role of energy and fuels in supply chains.
  • The types of measures one can take to reduce climate and environmental footprints of various supply chain functions.

  Skills

  Upon successful completion of the course, the student can:

  • Assess the life cycle environmental impact of different energy sources.
  • Explain environmental issues in supply chains depending on an organization’s operating context.
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses in the supply chain in developing solutions to sustainability challenges faced by organizations.
  • Compare different practices used in supply chains to address sustainability challenges.
  • Evaluate sustainability impacts of supply chains using information from Life Cycle Assessment studies.
  • Design a plan to implement sustainable solutions in the supply chains and in an organization’s operations.
  • Reflect critically on assumptions and uncertainties related to climate impact assessments.

  General competence

  Upon successful completion of the course, the student:

  • Can apply economic reasoning in the context of supply chains.
  • Has developed their oral communication skills.
  • Has developed their analytic skills.
  • Has developed their writing and reporting skills.

• Teaching

  A significant part of the class time in this course is dedicated to case discussions in break-out groups. Students are expected to read the case texts before class, and make notes or highlights to help find potentially relevant information quickly

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  There is a full credit reduction between ENE483 and the course ENE435, which is no longer offered.

• Compulsory Activity

  To be allowed to participate in the project group work that is used for the class evaluation, an attendance of at least 80% of class time is required.

  Students are expected and encouraged to come to class prepared by reading case text and readings in advance.

• Assessment

  The evaluation of this course will be done based on a case. This will be group work (2-3 students in each group), from week 46 until the end of week 50. Means of support and other details will be communicated when the case description is handed out to the students.

  To pass, students must demonstrate their ability to apply main concepts of this class on a realistic or stylised project case. This includes, but is not limited to, the application of Life Cycle Assessment on (parts of) a Supply Chain, the formulation of meaningful recommendations for sustainability improvement based on that assessment, a critical reflection on main assumptions and outcomes. Appropriate care to the project report, including structure, formatting, and language is expected.

• Grading Scale

  Pass-Fail

• Literature

  The mandatory readings for this course are a selection of journal papers, reports, case descriptions and online sources. The readings will be made available no later than a week before classes are scheduled.