MBA (Environmental Electives) CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT ENVIRONMENTAL RISK & IMPACT ASSESSMENT

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1 MBA ( Electives) CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT MODULE 3: ENVIRONMENTAL RISK & IMPACT ASSESSMENT MBA Scheduling: Second Year Block: Three Session: One 1. INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW The course will introduce the idea that development does not occur in isolation but has impacts on the natural, physical and social environment. Furthermore any negative impacts need to be predicted and mitigated, and positive impacts maximised. For the purposes of the MBA programme, this topic must be considered from various viewpoints such as the potential developer, funding bodies, environmental practitioners and the regulatory authority. All of the above will encounter environmental impact and / or risk assessments and require an understanding how these processes fit into the broader concept of Integrated Management (IEM) and sustainable development. The module will focus on cutting-edge developments in environmental assessment including Strategic (SEA); environmental risk and impact assessment techniques; Technology (TA), evaluation of EIA reports and due diligence. The course is not aimed at providing the nuts & bolts of impact assessments but rather to provide learners with the ability to critically assess impact assessments and their contribution to sustainable development. CREDIT VALUE 7.5 credits in the MBA (level 7 qualification) (approximately 75 notional learning hours). ASSUMPTIONS OF PRIOR LEARNING On entry to this course, learners would have some knowledge of the global trend towards sustainable development and of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. It is also assumed that all participants have an understanding of the key principles and Acts of South African legislation, specifically NEMA. All applications will be reviewed by a selection panel and should normally: Be proficient in English Hold at least a three year bachelors degree or diploma from an approved university, technikon or other institution and have a minimum of 3 years full-time relevant practical business, organisational or environmental consulting experience OR Have at least 5 years relevant practical experience at a managerial level 1

2 2. OUTCOMES 2.1. Critical outcomes Collect, analyse and evaluate information Communicate effectively Identify and solve problems Work as a team 2.2 Specific outcomes At the end of the course learners will be able to: Engage in critical debates on the role of risk and impact assessment in achieving sustainable development at a variety of scales; Demonstrate the ability to apply both qualitative and semi-quantitative RA methodologies to assess the environmental risk associated with a range of projects; Critically assess the selection and use of risk and impact assessment methodologies; Engage in critical debates on the general approach, purpose and validity of Impacts s (EIA) and Strategic s (SEA); Discuss the purpose and methodology of due diligence assessments; Engage in critical debates on the application and methodology of Technology within the context of sustainable development; Demonstrate the application of life cycle assessment within the context of environmental impact and risk assessment; Apply scenario planning to the assessment and management of environmental risk Demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of impact assessments in securing the future of natural capital. 3. TEACHING METHODS The course will be designed on a mixed-method approach. Some of the sessions will be in the form of lecture presentations with question and answer sessions. Others will involve learners directly in activities aimed at exploring or contextualizing the key concepts and issues being introduced. Group work in the form of syndicate sessions will constitute an important method as learners will be assigned group tasks to complete while on-course. Results of the syndicate tasks will be presented through oral presentations and in the form of class debates. The course will take a strong case study approach. Where applicable, case studies will be developed to provide the context for learners to explore principles of environmental impact and risk assessment while on course. This case study work will prepare learners for the assignment work. The methods used in the course will be aimed at achieving a mix of educational processes which include: introducing learners to new information, encouraging critical dialogue and debate, and contextual application of learning. 4. COURSE CONTENT The course will involve intensive sessions where participants will be expected to engage in critical dialogue. A detailed description of the course is provided below: Contents: Day 1: The nature of environmental risk What is environmental risk and when is it acceptable? Sustainable development and risk The fundamentals of risk assessment Application of risk assessment 2

3 Day 2: Advanced environmental assessment techniques and Impact (EIA) Overview of Impact in South Africa Recent developments and trends in environmental assessment Critical assessment of EIA methodologies Quality assurance in the EIA process Day 3: assessment & development The purpose of SEA in the context of sustainable development at National and local level SEA versus project-level EIA of cumulative affects Day 4: Impact assessment & the future of natural capital The role of post-project audits Shortcomings of environmental assessment in complex environments The role of scenario planning in environmental risk management The River Rangers: A case study Day 5: risk assessment and decision-making The role and purpose of TA in the context of sustainable development Life Cycle and TA The role and methodologies of due diligence assessment Day 6: Group presentations Participants will be required to demonstrate the application of scenario planning and environmental risk assessment in the work context. These presentations will form the basis of the on-work course assessment task. A detailed course programme is provided on the following page. 3

4 RHODES MBA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ELECTIVES Year 2 (Module 3): ENVIRONMENTAL RISK & IMPACT ASSESSMENT Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Risk & Sustainability (Dr Mike Mentis) Advanced Techniques (Mentis) & Development: Strategic (Dr Ted Avis) Risk assessment in complex adaptive systems (Prof Christo Fabricius) Risk and decisionmaking: TA (Dr Kevin Whittington- Jones) Group presentation TEA TEA TEA TEA TEA TEA The nature of Risk (Dr Mike Mentis) The nature of Risk (Dr Mike Mentis) Advanced Techniques (Mentis) Advanced Techniques (Mentis) & Development (Dr Ted Avis) & Development (Dr Ted Avis) Risk assessment in complex adaptive systems (Prof Christo Fabricius) Risk assessment in complex adaptive systems (Prof Christo Fabricius) Life Cycle (Dr Kevin Whittington- Jones) Due diligence assessment (Dr Kevin Whittington- Jones) LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH Advance Group presentation Course discussion & wrap-up 4

5 5. REOURCES: Presenters: Dr Mike Mentis (PhD, MBA) has consulted to national and international companies and public utilities on business projects involving natural resource exploitation. He has also convened national workshops on natural resource management and has taught part-time at Wits Business School. As an internationally recognised academic, he has authored over 150 articles in scientific journals, books and popular magazines. Dr Ted Avis (PhD) Director of Coastal & Services with 15 years experience in EIA and related environmental assessments. He was formally a lecturer in the Department of Botany, Rhodes University, and has published a number of scientific papers. Prof Christo Fabricius is a Professor in the Department of Science at Rhodes University and recognised internationally as an expert in ecosystem resilience and community-based natural resource management. Dr Kevin Whittington-Jones(PhD) is a Senior lecturer in the Department of Science at Rhodes University and coordinator of the Management Electives in the Rhodes Investec Business School s MBA programme. He is an environmental biotechnologist focussing on integrated waste management, and is currently involved in a number of technology assessments. Course materials: On-course readings Case study materials (where applicable) Access to key websites Textbook 5

6 6. STUDENT ASSESSMENT: Specific outcomes Engage in critical debates on the role of risk and impact assessment in achieving sustainable development at a variety of scales; Critically assess the selection and use of risk and impact assessment methodologies; Engage in critical debates on the purpose and validity of Strategic s (SEA); Discuss the purpose and methodology of due diligence assessments; Engage in critical debates on the application and methodology of Technology within the context of sustainable development; Apply scenario planning to the assessment and management of environmental risk Demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of impact assessments in securing the future of natural capital Criteria Define risk and impact Describe the source-pathway-receptor model of risk and its application Describe the key steps in any risk assessment process By means of examples, illustrate how risk assessment techniques and the information obtained can be applied Identify and describe the fundamentals of a range of different risk / impact assessment techniques Describe the advantages and limitations of the various techniques Provide examples to illustrate the applicability of different assessment techniques Define SEA and provide a detailed explanation as to its purpose in integrated environmental management Describe the link between SEA and sustainable development Compare the purpose of SEA with that of an EIA Identify key questions to be addressed during an SEA Discuss the advantages and weaknesses of SEA Describe the purpose of due diligence analysis from the perspective of different stakeholders Outline the methodology to be followed during a due diligence analysis Provide detailed examples of how due diligence analysis can be applied in the workplace Describe the purpose of TA in the context of sustainable development Provide a critical analysis of conventional TA methodologies Discuss how indicators can be used in TA, with particular reference to developing countries Develop and apply indicators to assess technology choices in the workplace Describe the general methodology employed in scenario planning Create different scenarios for a project and identify environmental risks associated with each Develop appropriate risk management strategies to minimise the environmental risk of a project under the selected scenarios Discuss the purpose of impact assessment in the preservation of natural capital Provide examples to illustrate success or failure of the above 6

7 Task will be focussed on an integrated assessment task, which is based on a workplacebased assignment. The integrated assessment task will bring together all of the specific outcomes indicated above. The assignment will be submitted six weeks after completion of the course. The assignment will be words. The final mark for the MBA module will be calculated as follows: Written Assignment 60% Examination 40% ASSIGNMENT: Topic to be decided Due Date: To be announced 7. EVALUATION Course evaluation forms will be provided to learners on the course following the course. A reflexive review of course programme, content and assignment work will be undertaken by course developers. Feedback is provided to students at next course session. An evaluation report will be produced, and will be reviewed by the MBA Electives course committee. If you have any queries regarding this module please contact the course coordinator: Dr Kevin Whittington-Jones Department of Science Phone: k.whittington-jones@ru.ac.za 7