IB/ES 332 - Chile: Sustainability and Business

The current scenarios of accelerated climate and social change are demanding proactivity and innovative responses from businesses, which requires that professionals from various fields incorporate sustainability knowledge into their training. This course promotes in students an analytical understanding of sustainability issues with a focus on the environmental pillar, based on data and evidence. Furthermore, it addresses solutions and trends in this area: in action and adaptation to climate change, waste and recycling, circular economy, clean production, responsible consumption, nature conservancy, among others. It is designed for students who are not necessarily environmental specialists.
Sustainability is understood today as an integral part of business, given that the relationship between them is often defined as managing the triple bottom line - a process by which companies manage their financial, social, and environmental risks, obligations, and opportunities. The program offers a framework in which students can use the acquired assessment skills and their creativity to generate a project applicable to sustainable development.
In addition to the above, part of this course addresses Chile's transition towards sustainable development, from the point of view of its public policy, regulation, and business innovation, as well as the challenges and gaps of Latin America and developing countries to achieve standards of sustainability and economic and social well-being.