ENE483 Sustainable Supply Chain I - The Climate Impact of Transport, Energy, and Buildings in Supply Chains (E)

• Topics

  This course examines challenges and opportunities pertaining to sustainability in supply chains, with focus on energy, transport, and buildings. 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 in advance of classes to help find potentially relevant information quickly while in class.

  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, ENE484 Sustainable Supply Chain 2 - Circular Economy and Extended Corporate Responsibility, considers other supply chain sustainability aspects. For as far ENE484 builds on content and concepts from ENE483, these will be summarized at the start of ENE484. Course ENE483 and ENE484 can be taken independently of each other. If you consider to take both, it is recommended to take ENE483 before ENE484.

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Upon successful completion of the course, the student knows:

  • 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 main elements and aspects of sustainability pertaining energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chains.
  • How to apply Life Cycle Assessment to energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chains.
  • The types of measures one can take to reduce climate and environmental footprints of energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chains.

  Skills

  Upon successful completion of the course, the student can:

  • Assess the life cycle environmental impact of different energy sources in supply chains.
  • Explain environmental issues with energy usage, transportation and buildings 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 pertaining energy usage, transportation and buildings faced by organizations.
  • Compare different practices to address sustainability challenges pertaining energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chains.
  • Evaluate sustainability impacts of energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chains using information from Life Cycle Assessment studies.
  • Design a plan to implement sustainable solutions for energy usage, transportation and buildings in 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:

  • Communicate sustainability related challenges and analyses pertaining energy needs, transportation and buildings in supply chains clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
  • Reflect critically on sustainability challenges on of energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chains and discuss alternative approaches and solutions.
  • Apply relevant knowledge and analytical perspectives to assess sustainability issues of energy usage, transportation and buildings in supply chain contexts.

• 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 in advance of class to help find potentially relevant information quickly when in class. There will be some brief written evaluations to register course attendance and verify understanding of main course concepts. 

• 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 texts and readings in advance.

  There will be a brief written evaluation every day to register course attendance and verify understanding of main course concepts. Submitting four evaluations confirms 80% class attendance.

• Assessment

  The evaluation of this course will be done based on a case. This will be group work (2-4 students in each group), from week 35 until the end of week 38. The case assignment will be made available at the end of the course week. 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

• Computer tools

  Instructor is in a dialogue with Position Green (positiongreen.com/carbon-management) for a demonstration of the tool and allowing students to apply the tool to a stylized case. Licenses / tool access will be arranged by the instructor.

• 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.