Course coordinator
Dr Cristyn Meath
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
One of the key challenges faced by organisations in dealing with environmental, social and economic sustainability issues is the development of management systems and decision making structures that enable value oriented actions to be taken. This course looks at the need for reporting systems in the context of current and future sustainability challenges and how this can be met by present reporting frameworks.
This course equips students with an understanding of the sustainability-related challenges confronting organisations globally. It examines key theories of organisational decision-making to deepen students’ insights into how sustainability-related decisions are made and the types of information that support effective, future-focused management. Students are introduced to a range of sustainability reporting tools and frameworks and will investigate one or more in depth through assessment items, developing their ability to evaluate and apply appropriate theories and frameworks within different organisational contexts.
Course requirements
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Cristyn Meath
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 develop students’:
- Knowledge of sustainability and its challenges
- Ability to analyse and apply appropriate sustainability reporting practices
- Decision-making skills in complex, uncertain contexts.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Analyse the interface between business and the natural environment to explain the interdisciplinary implications of organisational sustainability.
LO2.
Evaluate organisational decision-making and sustainability reporting.
LO3.
Recommend appropriate approaches for implementing, measuring, and reporting organisational sustainability performance.
LO4.
Interpret managerial perspectives in responding to sustainability challenges.
LO5.
Collaboratively, make strategic decisions for an organisation’s environmental, social and economic priorities and reporting.
LO6.
Report on the sustainability impacts of an organisation’s operations to influence decision-making.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection |
Case Studies
|
60% |
Case Study 1 15/08/2025 11:00 am Case Study 2 29/08/2025 Case Study 3 19/09/2025 Case Study 4 10/10/2025
During Class |
| Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Project Presentation
|
40% |
Project Workshop & Peer Presentation 15% 17/10/2025 11:00 am Final Project Presentation 15%
During Class |
Assessment details
Case Studies
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
Case Study 1 15/08/2025 11:00 am
Case Study 2 29/08/2025
Case Study 3 19/09/2025
Case Study 4 10/10/2025
During Class
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed, Secure.
Task description
Case studies are conducted during class on the dates specified. Each case study is worth 15% of your total course mark, of which 5% is based on your team discussion and 10% on your individual submission.
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
Blackboard and in class submission
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.
Students not able to attend the case study dates with a valid justification will conduct the team assessment at an alternative date with other students or the course facilitators. Please contact the teaching team regarding case study alternative date applications.
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.
Late submission of individual or team submissions will incur the standard late submission penalties.
Project Presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
Project Workshop & Peer Presentation 15% 17/10/2025 11:00 am
Final Project Presentation 15%
Q&A 10% 24/10/2025During Class
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed, Secure.
Task description
In teams you will work to develop a proposal for sustainability reporting for an organisation drawing on the content from this course including sustainability science frameworks, decision making for sustainability and knowledge of sustainability reporting frameworks. You will present your proposal to the class explaining how your recommendations will add value to the organisation. You will also workshop your proposal with a small group of classmates receiving feedback and providing feedback on other groups one week prior to final presentations.
Final presentations are 6-8 minutes plus Q&A.
Please Note: The presentation will be recorded for marking purposes per UQ Policy.
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
Blackboard and in class submission
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.
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.
Additional learning resources information
A variety of learning resources are provided through the course Blackboard site throughout semester.
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 |
Introduction to Sustainability: Managing Organisational Risks and Opportunities |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Decision Making for Sustainability |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Case Study 1 Assessment |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Introduction to reporting |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Case Study 2 Assessment |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Reporting: Mandatory & Industry Standard |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Voluntary & emerging reporting for sustainability |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Case Study 3 Assessment |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Integrated Reporting |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Case Study 4 Assessment |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Project Workshop & Peer Presentation |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Project Final Presentation |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course review |
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.