MGMT8420: Sustainable Management
Course Project – Your Environmental Impact
Baseline, Benchmarking & Analysis (30%):
(Topic 5%; Baseline 15%; Analysis 10%)
Individual Course Project Instructions and Expectations:
Your task for this course project is to connect with sustainability in your personal life (e.g., your food consumption or transportation habits, for example). You will, in some regards, choose your adventure by selecting an aspect in your life where you will track your environmental impact by building a data baseline and researching a benchmark to which you can compare yourself. Then you will analyze your data set and make recommendations on how you could reduce your environmental footprint. This personal journey you will be embarking on requires you to provide a depth of reflection and connection to the course learnings that are important to you.
COURSE PROJECT (3 Parts): 30% Total
There are three parts to this assignment:
Identify the personal area of your life that you would like to audit and collect data on to build a baseline (topic selection 5%):
You will identify and discuss why you selected this topic.
You will connect your topic to a Sustainable Development Goal aligned with your topic.
You will describe the situation you are collecting the data (e.g., I live alone in an apartment; I am living with x of roommates, in an apartment with x number of units or a single-family home; I am in Kitchener; Brantford; Brampton, etc.)
You will explain how you will collect your data (sources)
You will provide this in a written post to the discussion board – 250 words max
Your instructor must approve your selected topic before proceeding to steps 2 & 3.
Build your data set on your selected topic over the term in a chart format that will create a baseline of your environmental impact in your topic area. (Baseline data chart 15%)
You will provide this information in chart form uploaded to the assignment dropbox
You must have 5 (minimum) data points that are collected during the term from your data source (e.g., my topic is food – my data source is my weekly grocery store/restaurant receipts)
The 5 data points must be collected over five different periods (e.g., over 5 weeks); having 5 data points in one week does not meet the criteria
You must include screenshots of your data sources as evidence to support your baseline numbers – See PowerPoint file on how to read water; gas and electric metres
Research benchmarks that you can compare your data set to analyze your data versus the benchmark and make recommendations on how you could improve your environmental footprint (analysis section 10%)
You will research benchmarks that you can compare your baseline data against
You will analyze this data and provide a commentary on how your baseline compares to the benchmark
You will make 2 – 3 recommendations on how you can reduce your environmental footprint
You will upload this as word.docx to the assignment drop box – 500 – 1,000 words max (2– 4 pages, double spaced, Arial 12pt font)
Two or more students living in the same residence:
If two or more students live in the same residence/apartment, each student must select a different topic. This is an individual assignment. The topic selection will be determined on a first come basis as per the date/time of the topic discussion post.
Accessing Data and Permissions:
To access some data points, in cases where you may be renting, you may have to ask the permission of the landlord to conduct activities such as a waste audit. You may also need to ask your landlord if they would be willing to share their utility bills or for you to read the meter. In these cases, we do not expect you to share personal information about your landlord; however, you would need to show a screenshot of the data source without identifying information. You may want to consider sharing your findings with your landlord.
Note on Academic Integrity:
“Written or other work which a student submits in a course shall be the product of their own efforts. Plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Cheating means the misrepresentation by the student of his/her performance in a college setting” (Conestoga College, 2018). For more information on this policy, please visit the Academic Integrity Website at http://lib.conestogac.on.ca/academic-integrity. To avoid plagiarism, cite your sources using the APA style. Please visit the Learning Commons Library in person or online at APA @ Conestoga if you require further information or assistance using the APA style guide. Failure to cite your sources is considered a violation of academic integrity and will not be tolerated by the College.
Late Penalty:
Unless otherwise stated, or in the event of extenuating circumstances*, late work will not be accepted in accordance with Conestoga College Academic Policies.
*Must be communicated prior to the deadline.
DUE DATES:
PART 1 – Topic Discussion (5%) – due Week 2 – Sunday, September 18th
(posted to the discussion board)
PART 2 – Baseline Data Collection & Chart (15%) – due Week 11 – Sunday, November 20th
(chart – uploaded to assignment dropbox)
PART 3 – Benchmark & Analysis Discussion (10%) – due Week 13 – Sunday, December 4th
(paper – uploaded to assignment dropbox)
Part 1: Topic Selection (5%, out of 5 marks) – posted to the discussion post
Goal: identify a topic in your life you would like to baseline, benchmark, and analysis to better understand your environmental footprint
Select an environmental topic that impacts your everyday life (see list of potential areas below)
You will post your topic selection to the discussion board and discuss the following key points:
You will discuss why you selected this topic.
You will connect your topic to one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) aligned with your topic.
You will describe the situation under which you are collecting the data (e.g., I live alone in an apartment; I am living with x of roommates, it is an apartment or single-family home; I am located in Kitchener; Brantford; Brampton, etc.)
You will explain how you will collect your data source(s) (e.g., I will do a weekly waste audit; I will collect weekly grocery bills & food receipts; I will collect utility bills and/or read meters)
You will provide this in a written post to the discussion board – 300 words max
Your instructor must approve your selected topic before proceeding to steps 2 & 3.
If you are not specific enough (you do not follow the guidelines in point 2 you will have to re-post your Topic Selection (and you will not be re-graded). *
Be sure that your topic selection is something you are personally connected to and interested in understanding as part of your environmental footprint – this requires a depth of personal reflection and connection with the environment you live in.
This component of the course project serves as the Topic Selection Part 1 of your Course Project. You should aim for approximately 300 words. Post your topic to the eConestoga Discussion board.
Topic Selection Rubric…………………………………………………………………………..5 marks
Component(s)
Level 1 (1pt)
Level 2 (2pt)
Level 3 (3pt)
Level 4 (4pt)
Level 5 (5pt)
Topic Selection
Specificity of the topic – followed key guidelines
Connection to SD goal
Defines data collection
Missing topic selection
Not specific, not recent
No connection to SDG
Little-to-no effort
Minimal topic selection
Not very specific and/or not recent
Shows little connection to SDG
Minimal effort
OK topic selection
Could be more specific and current, somewhat followed guidelines
Shows OK connection to SDG
Good effort
Great topic selection
Specific and current, mostly followed all 3 guidelines
Shows mostly clear connection to SD and career options
Great effort
Exceptional topic selection
Very specific and current followed all guidelines
Shows obvious connection to SDG
Above-and-beyond effort
Audit/Topic Area Suggestions
Baseline (How I will get the data/dates)
Why/Purpose of Audit
Electric
I will read and record the electric meter on June 10th at 9:00 am and then recheck and record on June 17th at 8:59 am.
I will also record my research by taking a photo(s) of the meter reading to include in the report
To understand my Electricity contribution to Greenhouse Gas Emissions and explore new ways to reduce electric consumption and improve energy efficiency.
Water
I will read and record the electric meter on June 10th at 9:00 am and then recheck and record on June 17th at 8:59 am.
I will also record my research by taking a photo(s) of the meter reading to include in the report
To understand my water usage and to seek new avenues to reduce water wastage/usage.
Waste & Recycling
I will do a weekly waste audit to track and identify waste materials and separate them into key areas of plastics, paper, organics, glass etc.
As this contributes to the greenhouse effect, this audit will seek to explore eco-friendly alternatives or trash reduction.
Ensure an efficient waste management plan is in place to recycle, reuse, and reduce/minimize waste significantly
People
Food
Identify all food purchased between June 10th and June 17th. I will keep all my food/grocery receipts and place them in the appendix in part 1 research data.
Reduce excessive buying and reduce food not needed nor used. Reduce purchasing of items in non-recyclable packaging or any packaging.
Packaging, waste, and carbon footprints are significant considerations.
Clothing
Inventory all my clothing on June 10th. I will also record any clothing purchased this past month, given away, sold, etc.
Reduce all clothing purchases, especially synthetic clothing. Packaging, waste, and carbon footprints are significant considerations.
Transportation
Two cars are being used daily.
Car mileage
I will record the mileage on both cars on June 10th and then again on June 17th.
Gas usage
I will record all gas purchases for both cars during the week of June 10th till June 17th.
Using cars causes significant GHG pollution emissions.
I will analyze my transportation usage and look for greener alternatives.
Part 2: Data and Baseline (15%; out of 10 marks)
Goal: Provide the data and evidence of your SD Audit research for both
Baseline and Benchmarks
*Your data sources need to be current, and you should show evidence of the data source, e.g., screenshots
In chart format:
You will record the data for your selected topic in Part 1, which will include key data points and a description of the data
In your chart, you should identify and list data that will form your baseline audit (data of data collection, location, measurement (kg, km, kwh, etc. and the actual value.
You will need to summarize your data to determine an average baseline which you will compare to a benchmark you research in Part 3 – you may extrapolate this data to an annual number
You should include screenshots of your data points as evidence of your data collection
You are required to have a minimum of 5 data points (by date entry) – e.g., 5 data points in one date entry does not meet this criterion
Your chart should contain sufficient detail to build a meaningful baseline
Submit this part as an electronic Excel or Word.docx file to the eConestoga drop box.
This component of the course project serves Part 2 of the Course Project – Baseline component of your Course Project. This must be in chart form and show your data points collected during the term.
Part #2 SD Audit Research Rubric…………………..…………………………………………..10 marks
Component(s)
Level 1 (1pt)
Level 2 (3pt)
Level 3 (5pt)
Level 4 (7pt)
Level 5 (8pt)
Baseline Chart (8 marks)
SD Audit Items
(8 marks)
• Baseline Chart with data entry points and evidence
(minimum of 5 weeks of entries)
Baselines entries missing – not in chart format
No supporting evidence
In complete columns and data points
No evidence of an effort to collect data
Partial Baselines data entries
No supporting evidence
Minimal efforts to format chart
Minimal effort to collect data points
Baseline data entries meet the minimum required standard
Most supporting evidence provided
Chart is formatted and readable
Baseline data entries meet the requirements of data entry points (min. 5) standard
All supporting evidence provided – may not be summarized
Chart is formatted and readable
Baseline data entries are exceptional and contain over and above detail – exceeded requirements of data entry points (min. 5) standard
All supporting evidence provided and summarized
Chart is formatted to a high standard
Overall Impression (2 marks)
(0 pt.)
Little-to-no effort displayed
No adherence to Instructions
(.5 pt.)
Minimal effort/attempt to complete assignment/ not follow instructions Disorganized
(1pt)
In line with expected coverage of the topic, followed instructions. OK, organization & format
(1.5 pt.)
Effort beyond the minimum, sound research, followed instructions
(2 pt.)
Exceptional effort Followed Instruction Well formatted paper
SD Audit Research Baseline Format Examples
Baseline (use the table format and modify it for your data points)
SD Audit Item -WASTE
Date
In-depth Detailed Research Process – Explain
Collected Baseline Data Description
Unit of Measurement
Data Points
w/o Sept 7/2022
Blue Bin Analysis
Plastics
kg
1
Paper
kg
2
Metal
kg
.5
Glass
kg
.25
Other
kg
3
SD Audit Item -TRANSPORTATION
Date
In-depth Detailed Research Process – Explain
Collected Baseline Data Description
Unit of Measurement
Data Points
Sept 7/2022
Travel
Bus
km
20
Carpool
km
50
Sept. 8/2022
Walk
km
1
Air
kg
1,000
Car – individual
km
130
TOTALS
SD Audit Item -ELECTRICITY
Date
In-depth Detailed Research Process – Explain
Collected Baseline Data Description
Unit of Measurement
Data Points
(actual reading)
w/o Sept 7/2022
Weekly Meter Reading
Usage
kwh
100
w/o September 14th/2022
Weekly Meter Reading
Usage
kwh
175
TOTALS
SD Audit Item -FOOD
Date
In-depth Detailed Research Process – Explain
Collected Baseline Data Description
Unit of Measurement
Data Points
Sept 7/2022
Grocery Bill – food type
Meat
kg
5
Frozen
kg
10
Dairy
L
4
Restaurant Dine-in/Delivery?
Fresh
kg
12
TOTALS
SD Audit Item -FOOD
Date
In-depth Detailed Research Process – Explain
Collected Baseline Data Description
Unit of Measurement
Data Points
Sept 7/2022
Grocery Bill – food source
Local
kg
5
Canada
kg
10
North America
kg
4
International
kg
12
Part 3: Analysis (10%; out of 10 marks)
Goal: Analysis and
recommend SD
improvements based on your baseline and
benchmark research.
Benchmarks should be published RECENTLY (i.e., 2021, 2020 & NO LATER than 2019). *
Your analysis should include:
A title page
Executive Summary of your work
What is your benchmark that you are comparing your data with – cite your source
Analysis discussion on your data – what are your key observations and findings on your baseline versus the benchmark
How, specifically, does this issue challenge the notion of Sustainable Development (SD), your SDG goal selected in part 1, and your environmental footprint for you personally?
Conclusion & Recommendations (minimum 2)
You will upload this as word.docx to the assignment drop box – 500 – 1,000 words max. (2 – 4 pages, double spaced, Arial 12pt font)
This component of the course project serves as the Analysis & Conclusion component of your Course Project. You should draw upon key baseline data and benchmarks along with your personal connection and application of SD to your environmental footprint.
Part #3 SD Audit Research Rubric…………………..…………………………………………………..10 marks
Component(s)
Level 1 (1pt)
Level 2 (3pt)
Level 3 (5pt)
Level 4 (7pt)
Level 5 (8pt)
SD Audit Items
(8 marks)
Baselines
Benchmarks (no older than 2019)
Summary Explanations
Proper APA sourcing
Baselines / Benchmarks connections discussion missing
Benchmark missing – not recent
No summary explanations or analysis (not in own words)
No recommendations – Missing/Improper APA source
Partial Baselines / Benchmarks connections discussion missing
Benchmark included but – not recent
Limited summary explanations or analysis (not in own words)
Limited or minimal recommendations
Missing/Improper APA source
Basic Baselines / Benchmarks connections discussion
Benchmark included – a recent but unreliable source
Minimal summary explanations or analysis (not in own words)
Minimal recommendations
Attempted citations and references
Solid Baselines / Benchmarks connections discussion
Benchmark included – a recent and reliable source
Good summary explanations or analysis (not in own words)
Good recommendations
Citations and References included – minor formatting issues
Exceptional Baselines / Benchmarks connections discussion that shows a depth of reflection
Benchmark included – a recent and reliable source
Good summary explanations or analysis in own words
Good and actionable recommendations
Citations and
Overall Impression (2 marks)
(0 pt.)
Little-to-no effort displayed
No adherence to Instructions
(.5 pt.)
Minimal effort/attempt to complete assignment/ not follow instructions Disorganized
(1pt)
OK, in line with expected coverage of the topic, followed instructions. OK, organization & format
(1.5 pt.)
Effort beyond the minimum, sound research, followed instructions
(2 pt.)
Exceptional effort Followed Instruction Well formatted paper
Instructor: Term: Fall 2022 2