Course aims:

-To learn specific concepts used in environmental management.
-To know the components of environmental management, its functions and the main mechanisms and tools used.
-To understand the role and importance of environmental management in organizations taking account of globalization.
-To develop the ability to synthesize and select the information necessary for making decisions on choosing and implementing an environmental management system.
-To create and develop the ability to analyze and propose solutions to improve the environmental management system in relation to legislation changes.

Course Entry Requirements:

N/A

Course contents:

The course covers the following main topics:  Ecology, environmental protection, sustainable development, management;  Environmental Management System elements of an environmental management system;  Environmental performance evaluation;  Environmental audit;  Life Cycle Assessment;  Environmental labels and declarations;  Ecological restoration;  Protected areas management and reconstruction of degraded ecosystems;  Exemplification of rehabilitation of degraded lands and possibilities of using these lands  Exemplification of a rehabilitation study for waste rock dumps and tailings ponds from the mining industry; The seminar covers the following main topics:  Study of the regulations on environmental management; EMAS  Study of the regulations on environmental management, ISO 14001  Requirements for EMS;  Integration of management systems within the organization. Synergy with quality management system and with other management systems;  Analysis of the concept of continuous improvement of the environmental management system;  Project management for the implementation of an environmental management system (presenting reports on the actions needed to implement an EMS in different organizations);  Collecting the data required for environmental planning (thematic questionnaires, survey method);  Interpreting the official and scientific data necessary in environmental studies. Case studies on corporate social responsibility.

Teaching methods:

Lectures and seminars (The course is given as a combination of lectures and seminars.)

Learning outcomes:

• To master the specialized terminology used in environmental management; • To demonstrate ability to use appropriate concepts of environmental management; To prepare projects for the analysis of the interaction between economic processes and natural and social environment; • To apply methods, techniques and management tools for developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing the organization's strategies and policies taking into account environmental management requirements. • To prepare projects for the implementation of organizational strategies and policies taking into account environmental issues.

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

A two-hour written examination (70% of the final grade)Seminar testing (30% of the final grade)

Recommended reading:

• Christopher J. Barrow, 1999, Environmental Management: Principles and Practice;
• Santosh Sarkar, 2010, Environmental Management;
• Bruce Mitchell, 2001, Resource & Environmental Management (2nd Edition);