305542 (v.1) Sustainable Production and Consumption 311

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Area:	Department of Environmental Biology
Credits:	12.5
Contact Hours:	2.0
Lecture:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Syllabus:	The relation between production and consumption systems and patterns on one hand and the sustainable use of natural resources and protection of the environment on the other hand. The course themes are addressed from a practical angle by studying both established and emerging concepts, methodologies and tools that contribute to the transition towards more sustainable production and consumption systems and patterns. Industry and Environment. Government Policies and Strategies - Agenda 21. Cleaner Production and Eco-Efficiency. Cleaner Production Assessment. Environmental Management Systems (and ISO 14001). Design for the Environment. Life Cycle Assessment. Sustainability Reporting - Triple Bottom Line. Industrial Ecology. Sustainable Consumption. Sustainable Technology. Development. Global Sustainability Scenarios. The Natural Step and Natural Capitalism.
Unit Outcomes:	On successful completion of the unit, students will have gained the ability to explain how production and consumption systems and patterns contribute to global, regional and local environmental problems and they will be able to demonstrate an understanding of different concepts, methodologies and tools used for the implementation of sustainable production and consumption.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	Behrendt S., Jasch, C., Peneda, H. and Van Weenen, H., 1997, 'Life Cycle Design - a manual for small and medium sized enterprises', Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany. Curann, M.A., 1997, 'Life Cycle Assessment', McGraw Hill Publishers, New York. Sheldon, C. and M. Yoxon, 1999, 'Installing Environmental Management System - a step-by-step guide', Earthscan, London. DeSimione et al, 1998, 'Eco-Efficiency.The business link to sustainable development', MIT Press, Cambridge. Hawken, P., A. Lowins and L. Hunter Lovins, 1999, 'Natural Capitalism. Creating the next industrial revolution', Little, Brown and Company Publishers, Boston. Natrass, B., and Altomare, M., 1999, 'The Natural Step for Business. Wealth, ecology and the evolutionary corporation', New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island. Rowledge, L., Barton, R., Bradley, K., Fava, J., Ligge, C. and Young, S., 1999, 'Mapping the Journey: case studies in strategy and action toward sustainable development', Greenleaf Publishing, Sheffield. Van Berkel, R., 1996, 'Cleaner Production in Practice; methodology development for environmental improvement of industrial production and evaluation of practical experiences', University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Unit Texts:	A reader will be made available to the students through Curtin University Bookshop. The reader consists of a compilation of articles and papers from different sources, organised by the 13 topics covered in the lectures series.
Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Attendance and participation 10%. Mid semester short essay 30%. Final semester written test 60%. This is by grade/mark assessment.
Year Location Period Internal Area External Central External 2004 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y     2004 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y