S2023 Project University of Windsor 1

Final Project: Corporate

Sustainability
Overview:
Many public corporations – and even a few private companies – report what they do in terms of
environmental, social, and economic performance. This can be termed sustainability reporting
(or triple-bottom line reporting), and represents a “self- assessment”. The companies often
focus on a particular product or service they offer, and discuss how this offering impacts (or
benefits) the environment. However, the quality of information that is reported, how the
information is assessed, and how it is presented can vary tremendously.

You may select a company to evaluate and let the course GA know your selection. There can be
no more than 2 students reporting on the same company (first come, first served).

Part A:
Review the company’s website and access its corporate environmental (or sustainability)
report. The report may only appear as a web-based report.

In a single paragraph, summarize what the company does (e.g., its major activities, products,
and/or services); whether it is a regional, national, or international company; and any
information that would be relevant or critical to understanding its environmental/sustainability
report.

Your summary should be no longer than one HALF PAGE.

Part B:
Using a scale of 0  10, with 0 being completely inadequate, and 10 being superior, score the
report. Explain what elements you reviewed and how you arrived at this score. Note that the
absence of a report does NOT necessarily mean the company will score “zero”.

You may consider the factors discussed in class, the GRI report guidelines, and other measures
provided. For example:
• Is there an environmental (mission) statement?
• Is there a senior company official responsible for environment or sustainability?
• Does the report use an “excessive” amount of green/blue imagery?
• What is reported and for how long?
• Is there mention of third-party certification / verification?
• … Etc.
You may argue the points however you choose, but at the very least, present the information as
shown below. You should present at least 5 issues (choose issues that you feel are most
relevant). If you wish to weight the issues, you may do so but include an explanation of why
you think your weighting is appropriate for your analysis.

Issue Your Score (0  10) Explanation

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At the end, derive a single score for Part B. Your assessment for Part B should fit within ONE
single page.

Part C:

Examine the quantitative data provided in the company report or website regarding its
environmental or sustainability report. There should be at least three of the following measures
reported:
1. Air pollution impacts (select key pollutants).
2. Energy use and/or conservation.
3. Water usage OR waste water emissions (choose one or the other).
4. Land impacts (such as land used, offset, or solid waste).
5. Health and safety (for the workers or the community).
6. Socio-economic aspects (such as level of community involvement).
7. Other (there may be another category that is significant – if so, identify what it is and
why you are including it for analysis).

Choose THREE of the above categories and assess if:

• The company’s environmental performance is decreasing, increasing, or remaining
approximately the same over the last five years for these three categories.
• Whether the company’s environmental performance in these categories is worse,
better, or about the same as the “industry average” when compared to other companies
that are similar in scope.
• In each of your three categories, you should assess the environmental impacts, and
whether the company is presenting a realistic and accurate portrayal.

You may need to distinguish between and criticize: 1) what the company has actually done
(e.g., measurements); and 2) the presentation (how the report is actually formatted and laid
out).

You may also need to review outside, supporting information that analyzes specifics of the
environmental issues facing the industry to which the companies belong.

Use a multi-objective decision making approach to decide which of the three categories the
company presents the greatest issues (for example, is air pollution the greatest challenge after
your analysis). If you choose to include weightings, explain why your weightings are appropriate.

Your analysis should fit on ONE-and-a-HALF (1.5) pages. Show your comparison in a matrix
(chart) format.

Part D:
Specifically, asses how the company is performing in terms of their commitment to climate
change mitigation. For example, are they required to report their GHG emissions to the
National Pollutant Release Inventory? Are they required to participate in Ontario’s Cap-and-
Trade program? Do they have any other climate change mitigation strategies? Clearly identify
which activities are regulated (i.e. they have to participate) and which are voluntary.
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This analysis should fit on one HALF page.

Assignment Specifics:
 Include a title page and write your name, student ID, and which company is being critiqued.
 Use Times New Roman font size 12 for the main body of the text.
 Single-space the main text in the entire document.
 Charts, tables, and other methods of organizing data are encouraged throughout. Tables
and figures can be in smaller font (Times New Roman font size 10).
 Include a list of references used. Each student must use at least one journal article in the
assignment. Literature must be properly referenced throughout. The company report itself
will count as one reference.
 There is a maximum of 4 pages, NOT including the title page and references.
 Plagiarism will be penalized. The incident will be reported to the Associate Dean Academic
and Academic Integrity Office as necessary.

This project is due on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 by 11:59 pm. Please submit your project
electronically to the class website.