Sustainable Supply Chains 1: Fundamentals and Reporting from Udemy

This course is part of a course series on Sustainable Supply Chains: Fundamentals & Reporting, Operational Strategies, and Procurement Strategies. These courses will give you a complete and detailed view of sustainability and supply chains.

With this knowledge, you will be prepared to make a real difference in the world. Why is that? Because supply chains are central enablers for the sustainability goals and commitments of organizations.

We will go from the most basic knowledge to actionable strategies to have an impact and improve your business operations and sustainability goals, through better sustainable supply chain management.

This course is about basic concepts and fundamentals. In the first section, we walk about the importance and the evolution of Sustainable Supply Chains.

In the second section, we cover the concepts of Greenhouse gases, Global Warming Potential, and Water and Materials management.

In the third section, we present the most recognized Reporting Frameworks, like the Global Reporting Initiative, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and the IFRS Foundation. Here, we have a complete chapter on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Carbon Footprint. We also show the methodology and an example of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

And at the end, we develop a case study example of a hypothetical company interested in measuring its carbon footprint. Here, we define the boundaries, select the emission factors, do the calculations, and analyze the results.

This course is your starting point to learn about sustainable supply chains and how they are driving business transformation.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand sustainability challenges facing businesses today through basic concepts and information: climate change, ghgs, gwp, carbon footprint
Understand the different sustainability reporting frameworks and standards (ifrs, sasb, gri, ir, cdsb, tcfd, tnfd, cdp)
Learn how to use some of these standards (high level): gri environmental standards, sasb materiality map, greenhouse gas protocol corporate standard.

Have the knowledge of the life cycle assessment (lca) methodology and how it is used based on a real-life case study.
Learn how to estimate corporate carbon footprint through 5 steps and some recommendations for the calculations and interpretations of the results.

Understand sustainability challenges facing businesses today through basic concepts and information: climate change, ghgs, gwp, carbon footprint
Understand the different sustainability reporting frameworks and standards (ifrs, sasb, gri, ir, cdsb, tcfd, tnfd, cdp)
Learn how to use some of these standards (high level): gri environmental standards, sasb materiality map, greenhouse gas protocol corporate standard.
Have the knowledge of the life cycle assessment (lca) methodology and how it is used based on a real-life case study.
Learn how to estimate corporate carbon footprint through 5 steps and some recommendations for the calculations and interpretations of the results.

Syllabus

Introduction to Sustainable Supply Chains

Combined Course Overview

Course Content & Objectives

Introduction to Supply Chains

Please download the GRI 301: Materials standard from the Global Reporting Iniciative (GRI) website.

Defining the organizational boundary of Company XYZ. Company XYZ is a pulp and paper group comprising a number of companies/joint ventures active in the production and marketing of paper.

For this question, please download the “Emission Factors from Cross-Sector Tools” worksheet from the GHG Protocol website. Select the emission factors from the “Transport Freight” sheet.

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what should give you pause

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Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability reporting frameworks, including IFRS, SASB, and GRI, which are essential for corporate transparency and stakeholder communication

Explores the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and carbon footprint measurement, equipping learners with practical skills for assessing and reducing environmental impact

Includes a case study on carbon footprint measurement, offering hands-on experience in applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios

Examines the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, which is a valuable tool for evaluating the environmental impacts of products and services across their entire life cycle

Requires learners to download materials from external websites such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the GHG Protocol, which may present a barrier for some learners

Belongs to a series of courses, suggesting a more in-depth and structured learning path for those seeking comprehensive knowledge in sustainable supply chain management

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of sustainable supply chains and reporting

According to learners, this course serves as an excellent starting point for understanding sustainable supply chains. Students highlighted the clear explanations of fundamental concepts like climate change, carbon footprint, and LCA. The coverage of key reporting frameworks such as GRI, SASB, and the GHG Protocol was particularly appreciated. Reviewers frequently mentioned the usefulness of the case study example for practical application. While widely praised for building a solid foundation, some learners noted that it provides an introductory view and the subsequent courses in the series are necessary for a more in-depth understanding and practical strategies.

Suited for beginners, requires more depth for experts.

"This course is an excellent starting point but only covers the fundamentals."

"It's a basic introduction, perfect for beginners."

"To gain a deeper understanding and actionable strategies, you need to take the next courses in the series."

Concepts are explained clearly and concisely.

"The information is presented in a clear and easy-to-understand manner."

"Instructors explain topics effectively."

"Very clear about the topics."

"Good content, clear and concise."

Helps clarify concepts, especially carbon footprint.

"The carbon footprint case study was well done and very instructive."

"I found the case study on carbon footprint particularly helpful for understanding the application."

"Case study helps understand how to estimate Corporate Carbon Footprint."

Covers essential sustainability reporting standards.

"The course covers basic concepts and reporting frameworks like the GRI, SASB, and the GHG Protocol."

"It gave a good overview of the different reporting frameworks."

"I appreciate learning about the reporting standards like GRI, SASB, and IFRS."

"Understand the different sustainability reporting frameworks and standards (IFRS, SASB, GRI, IR, CDSB, TCFD, TNFD, CDP)"

Provides essential knowledge on sustainable supply chains.

"Provides an excellent and solid foundation on Sustainable Supply Chains and Reporting."

"Very clear course with useful knowledge about Sustainable Supply Chains fundamentals."

"The course provides a good foundational overview of sustainable supply chain concepts and reporting frameworks."

"Great course to learn the basics of sustainable supply chain and reporting."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Supply Chains 1: Fundamentals and Reporting with these activities:

Review Basic Environmental Science Concepts

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental environmental science concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for grasping the complexities of sustainable supply chains and their environmental impact.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Review key definitions related to climate change and greenhouse gases.
Summarize the main causes and effects of global warming.
Identify the major pollutants and their impact on ecosystems.

Review 'Sustainable Supply Chains: A Practical Guide'

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Gain a practical understanding of sustainable supply chain management. This will help you apply the course concepts to real-world scenarios and develop effective sustainability strategies.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to reporting frameworks and carbon footprinting.
Summarize the key strategies for reducing environmental impact in supply chains.
Analyze a case study presented in the book and identify the sustainability challenges and solutions.

Compile a List of Sustainability Reporting Resources

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Familiarize yourself with the various sustainability reporting frameworks and standards. This will enhance your ability to understand and apply these frameworks in practice.

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Research different sustainability reporting frameworks (GRI, SASB, IFRS, etc.).
Create a table summarizing the key features and requirements of each framework.
Include links to the official websites and relevant resources for each framework.

Four other activities

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Write a Blog Post on Sustainable Supply Chain Trends

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Deepen your understanding of current trends and challenges in sustainable supply chains. This will help you stay informed and contribute to the ongoing conversation.

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Research current trends and challenges in sustainable supply chains.
Identify a specific trend or challenge to focus on.
Write a blog post summarizing the trend or challenge and its implications.
Include examples of companies that are addressing the trend or challenge effectively.

Calculate a Hypothetical Product's Carbon Footprint

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Apply the carbon footprint calculation methodology learned in the course. This will solidify your understanding of the process and help you identify areas for improvement.

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Select a product and define its system boundaries.
Gather data on the product's life cycle, including materials, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal.
Use emission factors to calculate the carbon footprint of each stage.
Analyze the results and identify the main contributors to the product's carbon footprint.

Review 'The Circular Economy: A User's Guide'

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Explore the principles of the circular economy and their application to sustainable supply chains. This will broaden your understanding of innovative approaches to resource management.

View The Circular Economy: A User's Guide on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to circular design and resource efficiency.
Summarize the key principles of the circular economy.
Identify examples of companies that are implementing circular economy practices in their supply chains.

Volunteer at a Local Recycling Center

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Gain hands-on experience with waste management and recycling processes. This will provide a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this area.

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Contact a local recycling center and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Assist with sorting and processing recyclable materials.
Learn about the different types of materials that can be recycled and the recycling process.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Supply Chains 1: Fundamentals and Reporting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager leads an organization's efforts to integrate sustainability into its operations and culture. This involves developing and implementing sustainability initiatives, tracking progress, and engaging stakeholders. This course will be useful to those who wish to become a Sustainability Manager. The course provides a wide introduction to sustainable supply chains, Greenhouse gases, Global Warming Potential, and water and materials management; these are important issues that all Sustainability Managers face. The course also focuses on reporting frameworks and carbon footprint measurement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant helps organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability performance. This often involves assessing current practices, identifying areas for improvement, and developing and implementing sustainability strategies. This course will be useful to those who wish to become a sustainability consultant. The course provides a foundational understanding of sustainability challenges, reporting frameworks, and carbon footprint measurement, skills essential for a sustainability consultant. In particular, the course's coverage of reporting standards like GRI and SASB, along with its in-depth look at the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), are directly applicable to the work of a sustainability consultant in assessing and reporting on a company's environmental impact.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager develops and implements CSR strategies that align with an organization's values and goals. This role focuses on balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility. This course helps build a foundation for a career as a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. The course will be very useful due to its comprehensive introduction to sustainable supply chains, reporting frameworks, and carbon footprint measurement. The knowledge of reporting standards such as IFRS and SASB, as well as guidance using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, would be very useful for a CSR Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

ESG Analyst

An Environmental, Social, and Governance Analyst evaluates companies based on their ESG performance. This involves researching and analyzing data related to environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance to assess investment risks and opportunities. This course helps build a foundation for a career as an ESG Analyst. The course's coverage of sustainability challenges, reporting frameworks, and carbon footprint measurement will give prospective ESG Analysts a foundation for evaluating companies' environmental performance. Understanding standards such as IFRS, SASB, and GRI, as well as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, are essential for any ESG Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst

Environmental Analyst

An Environmental Analyst researches and assesses environmental problems, such as pollution and resource depletion, and develops solutions to mitigate their impact. The role often involves data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform decision-making. This course helps build a foundation for a career as an Environmental Analyst. This course may be useful for Environmental Analysts due to its coverage of Greenhouse gases, Global Warming Potential, and Life Cycle Assessment, as well as its clear explanation of reporting frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative. The case study on measuring a carbon footprint offers an Environmental Analyst experience that is directly related to their scope of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Analyst

Supply Chain Analyst

A Supply Chain Analyst examines and optimizes supply chain operations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability. Analyzing data, identifying trends, and making recommendations for process improvements are important tasks for this role. This course may be useful for Supply Chain Analysts interested in incorporating sustainability into their work. The course introduces the fundamentals of sustainable supply chains, greenhouse gas emissions, and reporting frameworks, which are valuable for assessing the environmental impact of supply chain operations. The inclusion of a carbon footprint case study in the course provides practical experience that a Supply Chain Analyst can use to evaluate and improve the sustainability of their company's supply chain.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

An Environmental Health and Safety Specialist ensures that an organization complies with environmental regulations and maintains a safe working environment. This involves conducting inspections, developing safety protocols, and providing training. This course may be useful for Environmental Health and Safety Specialists. Learning about sustainability challenges such as climate change, Greenhouse gases, and water management helps the specialist understand the environmental impact of business operations. The course also covers reporting frameworks and carbon footprint measurement, which may be useful for evaluating and improving an organization's environmental performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Logistics Manager

A Logistics Manager oversees the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods in a supply chain. Optimizing logistics operations for efficiency and sustainability is a key responsibility. This course may be useful for Logistics Managers. The course introduces the fundamentals of sustainable supply chains, including concepts like Greenhouse gases, Global Warming Potential, and carbon footprint measurement. Understanding these concepts helps Logistics Managers identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. The course's coverage of transportation emissions within the carbon footprint module is especially relevant to a Logistics Manager's scope of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Procurement Specialist

A Procurement Specialist sources and purchases goods and services for an organization. Increasingly, procurement specialists are tasked to make sustainable purchases, and this role may assist in the development of a sustainable procurement program. This course may be useful for Procurement Specialists, as the course on sustainable supply chains will help them to understand the sustainability challenges facing businesses today. In particular, the case study example of a hypothetical company interested in measuring its carbon footprint models the kind of work that a Procurement Specialist may need to undertake in developing a sustainable procurement program.

See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Specialist

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day activities of an organization to ensure efficiency and productivity. Integrating sustainability into operational processes is becoming an increasing focus within this role. This course may be useful for Operations Managers who wish to learn how to do this. The course helps Operations Managers understand sustainability challenges, reporting frameworks, and carbon footprint measurement. The knowledge of Greenhouse gases, Global Warming Potential, and Life Cycle Assessment helps the Operations Manager improve the overall sustainability practices of the business.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business processes, identifies areas for improvement, and recommends solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Incorporating sustainability considerations into business analysis is an emerging trend. Someone who aspires to be a Business Analyst may find this course useful. The course on sustainable supply chains will help them understand the sustainability challenges facing businesses today. The course also introduces reporting frameworks and carbon footprint measurement, which helps the Business Analyst assess the environmental impact of business processes and recommend improvements.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition for a product or product line. This role increasingly involves considering the sustainability impact of products throughout their lifecycle. This course may be useful for Product Managers who wish to integrate sustainability into their product strategies. The course can help because it provides knowledge of Life Cycle Assessment methodology and the case study example of measuring a carbon footprint.

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Compliance Officer

A Compliance Officer ensures that an organization adheres to laws, regulations, and internal policies. Increasingly, environmental regulations and sustainability standards are falling under the purview of compliance. This course may be useful for Compliance Officers who want to expand their knowledge of these issues. The course introduces sustainability challenges, reporting frameworks, and carbon footprint measurement, which would be valuable for a Compliance Officer responsible for environmental compliance.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes data to provide insights and support decision-making. Data analysis is becoming increasingly important in tracking and improving sustainability performance. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to specialize in sustainability-related data. The course introduces sustainability challenges, reporting frameworks, and carbon footprint measurement, which would be relevant to a Data Analyst who is tasked with reporting on sustainability metrics. The course's case study on calculating a carbon footprint provides practical experience in data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This role may involve managing projects related to sustainability initiatives. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to increase their knowledge about sustainability and supply chains. The course covers sustainable supply chains, greenhouse gas emissions, and reporting frameworks; these are useful for Project Managers working on sustainability-related projects. The case study on measuring a carbon footprint is particularly relevant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Sustainable Supply Chains 1: Fundamentals and Reporting.

The Circular Economy

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Explores the principles and practices of the circular economy. It provides a framework for designing products and systems that minimize waste and maximize resource utilization. It is particularly useful for understanding how to apply circular economy principles to supply chain management. This book adds depth to the course by providing a detailed explanation of the circular economy model and its potential benefits.

The Circular Economy: A User's Guide

Paperback

The Circular Economy: A User's Guide

Kindle Edition

Sustainable Supply Chains 1

Fundamentals and Reporting

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Fundamentals of sustainable supply chains and reporting

Activities

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