Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course will equip commerce and business students to navigate the increasingly complex sustainability and climate-related, mandatory and voluntary, disclosure requirements. These disclosures have direct implications for management decision making, structuring governance arrangements and fulfilling director's duties, as well as impacting external stakeholders' capital allocation decisions. The course provides our graduates with knowledge and skills to understand the basis of preparation of disclosures, the credibility of metrics reported and the implications of disclosure assurance.
Sustainable Development Goals
UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ACCT1101 or 1110 or 1111 or 1112
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Muhammad Nadeem
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how to evaluate sustainability and climate related disclosures and assess disclosure assurance and its implications.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify relevant regulation and frameworks to inform voluntary and mandatory sustainability and climate related disclosures.
LO2.
Evaluate material climate related risks for an organisation.
LO3.
Evaluate climate related metrics.
LO4.
Reflect on challenges of preparing sustainability and climate related disclosures from both internal and external stakeholder’s perspectives.
LO5.
Work effectively as part of a team to create and communicate evaluations of organisation’s sustainability and climate related disclosures and their assurance.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
A1: In class Quiz (3 quizzes worth 5% each)
|
15% |
Quiz 1 Week 2, Quiz 2 Week 3, Quiz 3 Week 4, |
| Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
A2: In class Hand Ins (5 hand-ins worth 7% each)
|
35% |
Hand In 1 27/08/2025 Hand In 2 3/09/2025 Hand In 3 10/09/2025 Hand In 4 17/09/2025 Hand In 5 24/09/2025
During Class |
| Presentation |
A3: Final Case Study - Part A - Presentation
|
15% |
Week 13
Presentation During Class |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
A4: Final Case Study - Part B- Individual Write Up
|
30% |
31/10/2025 3:00 pm |
Assessment details
A1: In class Quiz (3 quizzes worth 5% each)
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
Quiz 1 Week 2,
Quiz 2 Week 3,
Quiz 3 Week 4,
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Three in class quizzes completed at the conclusion of week 2, 3, and 4 seminars.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
A2: In class Hand Ins (5 hand-ins worth 7% each)
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
Hand In 1 27/08/2025
Hand In 2 3/09/2025
Hand In 3 10/09/2025
Hand In 4 17/09/2025
Hand In 5 24/09/2025
During Class
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Five Hand Ins end of seminar weeks 5, 6, 8, 9, 11.
Individual component to write up answer to activity 1. One page written response to individual activity. Then form Groups of four to write up answer to activity 2. One page group response for group activity.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A3: Final Case Study - Part A - Presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
Week 13
Presentation During Class
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Analysis of sustainability report for a publicly listed company. Group presentation and Individual reports evaluating the disclosures and the assurance and providing recommendations.
Group presentation (approx.... 15 minutes) in-class week 13 and Individual write up of assigned section of group report (2-3 pages per student).
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for an in-class presentation.
Late submission
Late submissions are not accepted for in-class presentations.
A4: Final Case Study - Part B- Individual Write Up
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
31/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Analysis of sustainability report for a publicly listed company. Group presentation and Individual reports evaluating the disclosures and the assurance and providing recommendations.
Individual write up of assigned section of group report (2-3 pages per student).
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Course overview and Introduction Learning outcomes: L02 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Reporting Frameworks Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Environmental Governance Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Reporting on Climate Impacts Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 |
Case-based learning |
Sustainability Management Simulation: Net Zero Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Reporting on Nature Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Reporting on Social Impacts Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Corporate Governance and Sustainability Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 9 |
Case-based learning |
Revisiting the Sustainability Management Simulation: Net Zero Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Problem-based learning |
Self-directed learning and work on case report and case presentation |
Week 11 |
Problem-based learning |
Self-directed learning and work on case report and case presentation |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Class presentations Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout course learning activities:
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.