Assignment
Task : Project Report (please use the Harvard referencing method)
Submit a report (max 5000 words – a sample report on Bitcoin is attached – please consider the word count) with the aim to discuss the linkages between business
operations and the environmental and societal challenges with regards to
sustainability. For this task, you can choose an organisation/industry you
currently work in, or an organisation/industry you are familiar with as a frame
of reference, to answer all questions given below.
I have
chosen the asset management industry which manages funds, mandates and money
for private and institutional investors like pension schemes. The benefit is of
course that by investing people and pension schemes can secure retirement and
less social security benefits are need (beneficial to governmental budgets and
social schemes).
In addition, asset
managers can invest sustainably and consider ESG factors in their investments (if
this is requested by clients) which ultimately lead in a more sustainable
capital allocation with double materially focused on financial and sustainable
returns. As part of their fiduciary duty, asset manager can furthermore engage
with issuers to influence the respective issuer (listed corporate) to change
their business model and make it more sustainably along the UN SDGs.
Besides
other benefits the finance and in particular the asset management industry has,
as described in the UN SDGs
1.
The
report should have an Executive Summary (A summary of the entire report in no
more than one page of A4 paper). [10
Marks].
2.
You
should provide a brief Introduction of the chosen organisation by critically
evaluating the key sustainability issues prevalent in the chosen industry and
demonstrate a critical awareness of the challenges faced in implementing
sustainable initiatives. [15 Marks].
3.
Critically
analyse the UN Sustainable development goals of ‘Reduced Inequality’,
‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ in relation to the chosen
industry. Demonstrate a critical and
detailed understanding of the effects of global warming, resource scarcity,
population growth and loss of bio-diversity on your chosen
organisation/industry. [20 Marks].
4.
Critically
analyse the strategic alignment of the chosen organisation’s business functions
to sustainability and discuss the
implementation of innovative business strategies that will help in addressing
the sustainability challenges in your chosen organisation. [10
Marks].
5.
Critically
review the impact of regulations & international codes on sustainability in
the chosen industry. How can you
influence the management to adopt the regulations and codes in your
organisation? (Discuss your role as the change initiator and agent) [15 Marks].
6.
Critically
analyse an organisation’s global sustainability with the help of a
sustainability report (last financial year) of your chosen organisation or any
other organisation in your industry, clearly interpreting and evaluating the
numerical and graphical data and discuss your contribution to the impact on
global sustainability. [15 Marks].
7.
Conclude
the report with your final findings and adequate recommendations to develop
sustainability strategies for your organisations. [10 Marks].
8.
Kindly
note that you should present the whole report written well in a good format,
and make good use of the Harvard
Referencing System (HRS).[5 Marks].
(Total-100 Marks)
