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Sustainability and Green Logistics: An Introduction

Explore the principles of sustainability and understand how to create more sustainable logistics and procurement practices.

  • Duration

    2 weeks

  • Weekly study

    3 hours
Overview
Requirements

Examine the environmental impacts of logistics and learn how to mitigate them

On this course, you will be introduced to the main principles of sustainable development in business and green logistics. You will examine the environmental, financial, and social impacts of logistics and procurement operations at a local and global scale, and learn why these need to be minimised.

You will have the opportunity to explore the key policies and laws regulating supply chain functions that aim to protect the environment. You will also be introduced to the methods that assess the environmental performance of supply chains, in order to improve current practices and monitor progress.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1

  • Sustainability
  • The triple-bottom line
  • Environmental legislation
  • International treaties
  • Sustainable supply chains
  • Sustainable development goals
  • Corporate social responsibility

Week 2

  • Sustainable sourcing
  • Green logistics
  • Product-based and supplier-based procurement
  • Ethical materials sourcing (eg fairtrade principles)
  • Responsible supplier procurement (eg supplier code of conduct)
  • Globalisation and sourcing from developing countries
  • GreenScor model

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the concept of sustainability and critically analyse the fundamentals of sustainable development
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the triple-bottom concept of sustainability and evaluate the application of the environmental protection, economic growth and social justice principles on business operations
  • Demonstrate an increased awareness of the impacts of logistics on the environment and evaluate the effects of globalised supply chain processes on diverse societies, economies and ecosystems
  • Evaluate the role of international and domestic environmental legislation in the promotion of sustainable logistics practices and understand the importance of legal compliance for businesses
  • Comprehend the key attributes of the green logistics and sustainable supply chain concepts
  • Develop an informed understanding and critical appreciation of the concept of corporate social responsibility in terms of ethical sourcing of materials and suppliers
  • Illustrate how businesses can add value to their supply chains by developing ethical material sourcing standards and responsible supplier selection criteria as part of their supplier code of conduct
  • Critically assess the environmental performance of supply chain processes through the application of international standards (eg ISO 14001) and metrics (eg the GreenScor model)

Who is the course for?

This course is suitable for logistics professionals and individuals with an interest in the environmental issues of business supply chain and logistics activities around the globe.

Who developed the course?

Coventry University

Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

  • Established

    1992

  • Location

    Coventry

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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