WEEK 1: Introduction to ESGs in Global Food Systems

Overview

This session provides a foundational overview of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and their role in shaping sustainable business strategies, with a focus on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 Key Topics:

• What ESG is, and its importance in business strategies.
• Introduction to SDGs and their global relevance.
• How SDGs help corporations align with ESG commitments.
• Challenges and opportunities for agribusiness in implementing ESG.

Learning outcomes

• 🌍From CSR to ESG: Trace the evolution from Corporate Social Responsibility to ESG.
• 🎯 UN SDGs: Understand how SDGs serve as the global language for governments & businesses.
• 🔗 CSR, ESG & SDGs: Explore their interplay and key differences.
• 📚 Real-World Insights: Hear from experts and dive into case studies for practical context.
• ✨ 2025 Context: Understand the current ESG landscape, identify gaps, and explore opportunities for innovation.
• 🎓 Honing Skills for the Future: Learn where to focus your skills and passion to thrive in ESG-driven industries.

Firestarter Speaker:

The Firestarter Speakers series in this course features a diverse range of global and local experts from the private sector, government, science, philanthropy, consulting, and more. Each speaker will deliver a 30-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, offering valuable insights on the role of ESG in financing, policy, reporting, and investment strategies. This engagement with food system experts will expose students to real-world case studies and experiences, strengthening the learning outcomes of each lecture and enhancing the overall course experience. 

Assignment 

In class activity 

WEEK 2: ESG Strategies – Building the Toolkit

Overview

This session shifts from theory to practice, focusing on how companies implement ESG strategies. 

Key Topics

• Environmental Responsibility: Focus on climate risk and mitigation strategies, greenhouse gas reduction, and circular economy practices like waste management in agribusiness.
• Social Responsibility: Address key aspects like labor practices, health and safety standards, community engagement, and the importance of diversity and gender equality in the food sector.
• Governance and Ethical Practices: Explore the role of corporate governance, transparency, anti-corruption measures, and stakeholder engagement.

Learning outcomes

• 🌱 Understanding ESG in Practice: Grasp real-world ESG strategies in agrifood businesses.
• 📝 Critical Reflection: Critically assess ESG implementations to identify improvements.
• 🛠 Toolkit Development: Learn to systematically evaluate and improve ESG practices.
• 🎤 CSO Insights: Gain firsthand knowledge from a Chief Sustainability Officer.
• 💡 Collaborative Problem-Solving: Develop teamwork skills in evaluating ESG strategies.

Firestarter Speaker:

The Firestarter Speakers series in this course features a diverse range of global and local experts from the private sector, government, science, philanthropy, consulting, and more. Each speaker will deliver a 30-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, offering valuable insights on the role of ESG in financing, policy, reporting, and investment strategies. This engagement with food system experts will expose students to real-world case studies and experiences, strengthening the learning outcomes of each lecture and enhancing the overall course experience. 

 Assignment 

In class activity 

WEEK 3: Global ESG Frameworks Shaping Food Systems. 

Focus:

This session examines how global ESG frameworks, particularly the UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD, influence national policies and how countries integrate food systems into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The session emphasizes practical approaches to incorporating sustainability into agribusinesses through case studies and collaborative exercises.

Key Topics:

• Overview of global frameworks and their objectives.
• Importance of COPs in driving climate action and policy development.
• How global frameworks shape national agribusiness policies.
• Understanding how national policies shaped by global frameworks impact agribusiness.

Learning outcomes

• 🌐 Understand how global frameworks shape country climate and biodiversity plans.
• 🍽️ Explore how national plans impact food systems and agribusinesses.
• 🔎 Analyze opportunities and challenges for integrating sustainability into food systems.
• 🌱 Evaluate the role of international commitments in driving national agribusiness policies.

Firestarter Speaker:

The Firestarter Speakers series in this course features a diverse range of global and local experts from the private sector, government, science, philanthropy, consulting, and more. Each speaker will deliver a 30-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, offering valuable insights on the role of ESG in financing, policy, reporting, and investment strategies. This engagement with food system experts will expose students to real-world case studies and experiences, strengthening the learning outcomes of each lecture and enhancing the overall course experience. 

 Assignment 

In class activity 

WEEK 4: What is ESG REPORTING ?  

Focus:

This session explores the various ESG reporting frameworks used by businesses to communicate their sustainability efforts. Students will learn about mandatory and voluntary reporting requirements, and how to select and build a reporting framework tailored to agribusiness.

Key Topics:

• Understanding ESG Reporting: The importance of transparency and accountability in ESG reporting.
• Mandatory vs. Voluntary Reporting: Legal obligations vs. investor and customer expectations.
• ESG Reporting Standards and Frameworks: Overview of key frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD, and SBTi, and their specific applications in agribusiness.
• Why Product Labels and Certifications Are Essential to Your Business Strategy

 Learning outcomes

• 📄 ESG Frameworks: Understand key frameworks (GRI, SASB, TCFD, SBTi) for agribusiness reporting.
• 📊 Reporting Requirements: Differentiate mandatory vs. voluntary reporting—legal obligations vs. market expectations.
• 🌱 Certifications: Recognize the strategic value of product labels and certifications for credibility and sustainability.
• 🔎 Framework Selection: Analyze how to choose the right ESG reporting framework for various agribusiness contexts.

Firestarter Speaker:

The Firestarter Speakers series in this course features a diverse range of global and local experts from the private sector, government, science, philanthropy, consulting, and more. Each speaker will deliver a 30-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, offering valuable insights on the role of ESG in financing, policy, reporting, and investment strategies. This engagement with food system experts will expose students to real-world case studies and experiences, strengthening the learning outcomes of each lecture and enhancing the overall course experience. 

 Assignment 

Take Home Assignment 

WEEK 5: Developing and Implementing an ESG Strategy  

Focus:

This session will guide students through the steps to develop and implement a comprehensive ESG strategy for agribusiness. Emphasizing actionable steps, students will explore pathways to create impactful and measurable ESG plans, focusing on defining goals, engaging stakeholders, setting KPIs, and ensuring long-term accountability.

Key Topics:

• Creating an ESG Vision: Setting clear objectives aligned with sustainability goals.
• Engaging Stakeholders: Identifying and engaging key internal and external stakeholders in the strategy development process.
• Setting KPIs and Tracking Progress: How to define meaningful KPIs that measure ESG progress.
• Mitigating Greenwashing: Building credible ESG reports and ensuring transparency and impact.
• Ensuring Long-term Accountability: Establishing governance structures for ongoing ESG strategy management.

 Learning outcomes

• 📊 Stakeholder Identification: Learn to identify key stakeholders relevant to ESG strategies in agribusiness.
• 🤝 Stakeholder Engagement: Understand how to effectively engage internal and external stakeholders during the ESG strategy development process.
• 📈 KPI Design: Design and implement meaningful KPIs to measure the progress of ESG initiatives.
• 🛡️ Governance Structures: Establish governance frameworks to maintain long-term accountability for ESG strategy implementation.

WEEK 6: Future Trends and Final Exams 

Focus:

Industry leaders predict major disruptions across the agriculture value chain in the coming years, opening up new opportunities for scaling green-growth and resilient businesses. This session explores how agribusinesses can adapt to future ESG trends, leveraging innovation in technology, sustainable practices, and evolving policies to build more resilient, sustainable operations.

Firestarter Speaker:

The Firestarter Speakers series in this course features a diverse range of global and local experts from the private sector, government, science, philanthropy, consulting, and more. Each speaker will deliver a 30-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, offering valuable insights on the role of ESG in financing, policy, reporting, and investment strategies. This engagement with food system experts will expose students to real-world case studies and experiences, strengthening the learning outcomes of each lecture and enhancing the overall course experience. 

Learning Outcomes:

• 🌱 Understand emerging ESG trends and how they are shaping the future of agribusiness.
• 🚀 Learn how businesses can stay ahead of industry disruptions.

 Assignment 

Final Exams