Sustain­ability for So­cial Justice: Busi­ness Op­por­tun­it­ies and Chal­lenges in Emer­ging Mar­kets

Course content

Sustainability and social justice are interconnected concepts, particularly within the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. While sustainability is framed in terms of ecological, economic, and social dimensions, social justice encompasses elements such as distributive justice, procedural justice, and cosmopolitan justice. In this course, we will explore how sustainability and social justice have evolved from isolated considerations to interrelated frameworks that jointly influence policy decisions. Discussions will focus on understanding sustainable development through the diverse worldviews of local communities, businesses, and governments in emerging markets. The course aims not only to examine sustainability from ecological and economic perspectives but also to incorporate ethical and social considerations, particularly issues of intergenerational fairness and justice.

The course will specifically discuss and contrast the concept of sustainability for social justice within the operations of both local and multinational corporations (MNCs) in emerging markets. It will frame these discussions in the context of the unintended impacts that business investments can have on biodiversity, human rights, and global value chains. Special attention will be given to the challenges businesses face in mitigating and adapting to climate change within their operations.

The course seeks to equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intricacies of sustainability, with a special emphasis on human rights, biodiversity, and global value chains in emerging markets. Supported by academic theory and real-world case studies, the course will adopt a holistic, social-sciences perspective on current sustainability concepts. This comprehensive approach will facilitate the design and evaluation of governmental and corporate policies and practices, with the aim of contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.