Specialist Diploma in Environmental and Corporate Sustainability

Climate Change and Sustainability

This module aims to equip students with knowledge on environmental issues of climate change, such as rising sea levels and global warming, due to anthropogenic drivers like depletion of natural resources, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Students will also learn about United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and targets, as well as how governing bodies like the Conference of the Parties (COP) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) impact policy-making through review and assessment of human-induced climate change.

Students will also be equipped with knowledge in adaptation and mitigation efforts for climate change through key national initiatives, including the Singapore Green Plan. They will learn the fundamentals of the circular economy and how it is used to improve environmental sustainability in areas such as waste management, food security and renewable energy. The module also provides current solutions, practices, and case studies to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Carbon Footprint Management

The module aims to introduce students to emerging carbon services, which include the calculation of carbon footprints, concepts in carbon sequestration, and the application of carbon footprint management through carbon trading, offset and carbon tax. Students will be introduced to essential frameworks and guidelines to target net zero emissions, including the greenhouse gas protocol for carbon emission (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) and learn how to set and monitor reduction targets for greenhouse gas (GHG).

Environmental Management for Sustainability

This module aims to introduce students to national and organisational approaches in managing environmental sustainability through environmental standards, assessments and regulations such as the Resource Sustainability Act and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The module will also discuss the roles of environmental and energy management systems in sustainability, and regulatory compliance and standards such as Mandatory Energy Management Practices for Existing Industrial Facilities and Environmental Management System, ISO 14001.

Students will apply this knowledge to complete a project in environmental sustainability using the approaches introduced in the module.

Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Reporting

This module aims to introduce students to the concept of corporate sustainability and its impact on the environment and society. Students will gain deeper insights into sustainability goals and formulate strategies to incorporate sustainability into an organisation’s business models and practices. Students will learn about social issues such as human rights and corporate social responsibility, as well as how to include such concerns in sustainability implementation.

The module will also introduce students to sustainability reporting, including the application of recognised frameworks to write reports as well as analysing an organisation’s environmental and social performance. Students will apply the acquired knowledge to complete a project in corporate sustainability using the frameworks and concepts introduced in the module.

Communications and Engagement in Sustainability

This module aims to equip students with the importance of businesses communicating about sustainability, their efforts, and the topics that they should cover. Students will learn to look at the societal context to examine the social or environmental impact that a brand can potentially have before embarking on planning and designing a sustainability communications strategy.

In addition, students will learn to define their target audiences and the content ideas available to develop their sustainability messaging. Students will also learn to plan and develop public relations and marketing communications campaigns to avoid greenwashing and amplify their messages appropriately.

Sustainable Finance

This module aims to equip students with the essential knowledge of sustainable finance. Students will understand the impetus for integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the corporate finance functions (such as sustainable finance, integrated reporting, and ESG metrics).

As sustainable investing issues become increasingly important for all types of investors, this module will discuss the trends in investor treatment of sustainability-related information and how they could impact corporate disclosure requirements. This module will also explore digital technology that mobilises sustainable finance and gives investors and lenders the tools to harness adequate information for their decisions.