Many of you will be engaged in business decisions related to 
environmental management in government, private sector, or non-
governmental organizations after graduation. By now, you have 
taken foundational classes in microeconomics, environmental 
economics, or natural resource economics; one of the challenges 
is applying the knowledge to the real-world and refining 
critical thinking skills backed by solid data and logical 
reasoning. This class intends to fill the gaps by introducing 
you to real-world business decisions through case studies, 
lectures, and guest speakers who actively engage in everyday 
environmental management decisions. We will cover a wide range 
of business sectors and environmental issues, with a particular 
focus on climate change issues. We will explore the 
environmental challenges and opportunities that societies and 
industries face, regulations and market-based mechanisms, and 
tools for measuring and evaluating the environmental 
performance. The class will help you familiarize yourself with 
the concepts, contexts, tools, and resources that will be 
valuable when you interview with your future employers and start 
your careers in the business world.
Expected learning outcomes:
1) Students will be able to identify problems and drivers of 
global environmental change.
2) Students will be able to synthesize information from across 
disciplines and articulate science-based solutions to 
environmental problems.
3) Students will be able to engage in discussions grounded in a 
rational and science-based argument.
4) Students will be able to write and present a report based on 
their own analysis of the industry, future scenario, and 
environmental regulations.

1. Course outline and introduction
2. Environmental problems and business
   a. Case study: Patagonia
3. Climate change – overview
4. Economics of climate change adaptation
5. Climate change adaptation
6. Land use – forest
   a. Case study: IKEA
7. Land use – farming
   a. Case study: Polyface
8. Investment for sustainability
9. Role of insurance
   a. Case study: Travelers insurance
10. Renewable energy
11. Reporting
12. Reexamining economics
13. Tragedy of the commons
    a. Case study: Clearwater
14. Electricity generation
15. Circular economy and waste management
    a. Case study: Cradle-to-cradle design at Herman Miller
16. Carbon pricing
17. Cities and transportation
18. Big picture – systems change
19. Sharing economy
    a. Case study: Uber and the sharing economy