Sustainability Accounting and Management
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The Accounting module aims to deliver the students the key concepts to develop knowledge and skills in cost accounting, understanding the main financial statements, and link these financial documents with sustainability reporting and with social and environmental performance measurement.
The Environmental Management module aims to develop knowledge about the management of the environmental standards related to products and processes, the management of environment-related technologies, the management of sustainable supply chain networks and the lifecycle assessment.
The Environmental Management module aims to develop knowledge about the management of the environmental standards related to products and processes, the management of environment-related technologies, the management of sustainable supply chain networks and the lifecycle assessment.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student must be able to understand how an organization can impact on society and the environment and develop tools that can effectively manage and prevent these impacts. Moreover, the student must be able to understand the principles of the circular economy and new business models oriented not only to optimize economic performances but especially social and environmental ones with a view to sustainability, ethics and engagement of all stakeholders. During the course project works will be developed, case studies will be analyzed and written tests will be carried out to test the student's learning in the different phases of the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Teaching Methods (With reference to possible changes in the delivery of teaching activities in case of health emergencies)
Lectures will be held both synchronously on the MS Teams platform, according to the first semester timetable, and asynchronously, as they will be recorded and made available to students on the Ariel platform of the Environmental Management course. The course will alternate between different teaching techniques: traditional lectures, seminar-based activities, case study analysis, and team project tutoring. Lessons may also include pre-recorded materials.
Syllabus and Reference Materials
The course syllabus remains unchanged. The content of individual lectures may be modified based on the teaching methods described above. Reference materials remain unchanged.
Assessment Methods and Evaluation Criteria
Online written exams will be carried out using the Moodela platform, according to the procedures described on the University portal. The written test will have the same structure as the one illustrated on the Ariel page of the course.
These modalities may be subject to changes and adjustments according to the needs of the instructor and the evolving Covid situation. The instructor will promptly update students regarding any changes in teaching and assessment methods.
Lectures will be held both synchronously on the MS Teams platform, according to the first semester timetable, and asynchronously, as they will be recorded and made available to students on the Ariel platform of the Environmental Management course. The course will alternate between different teaching techniques: traditional lectures, seminar-based activities, case study analysis, and team project tutoring. Lessons may also include pre-recorded materials.
Syllabus and Reference Materials
The course syllabus remains unchanged. The content of individual lectures may be modified based on the teaching methods described above. Reference materials remain unchanged.
Assessment Methods and Evaluation Criteria
Online written exams will be carried out using the Moodela platform, according to the procedures described on the University portal. The written test will have the same structure as the one illustrated on the Ariel page of the course.
These modalities may be subject to changes and adjustments according to the needs of the instructor and the evolving Covid situation. The instructor will promptly update students regarding any changes in teaching and assessment methods.
Course syllabus
Accounting:
The first part discusses the fundamentals of financial accounting: (i) nature and purpose of financial accounting; (ii) basics of financial accounting, with specific respect to transaction analysis and to the preparation, use and interpretation of general-purpose financial statements; (iii) basic accounting terminology; (iv) analysis and interpretation of financial and economic performance of firms and companies. The Second part discusses the foundamentals of sustainability accounting also called non-financial reporting using mainly the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) with the general purpose to understand the structure, the main components and indicators used to analise environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of firms.
Management:
The management module explores the main themes and tools that organizations can use to drive the transition toward sustainability. It begins with a life-cycle perspective, introducing students to the principles and challenges of the circular economy. The course then examines the role of environmental regulation in shaping business strategies and highlights how changing consumer perceptions increasingly influence companies' approaches to sustainability.
Key issues such as greenwashing are addressed, providing students with the ability to recognize and critically assess misleading claims about environmental practices. The module also covers Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with a focus on stakeholder engagement and shared value theory, enabling students to understand how businesses can create value for both shareholders and society.
Other important topics include green management practices, sustainable supply chain management, and eco-innovation. Finally, the module analyzes the design and implementation of circular and sustainable business models, offering practical frameworks for integrating sustainability into core business strategy and operations.
At the end of the accounting module, students will be able to:
· Understand and apply the fundamentals of financial accounting and basic accounting terminology
· Analyze, interpret, and prepare general-purpose financial statements
· Evaluate the financial and economic performance of organizations
· Understand the principles and frameworks of sustainability accounting and non-financial reporting
· Interpret and use key ESG indicators, with a particular focus on the GRI and ESRS standards
· Assess how accounting practices contribute to greater transparency and accountability in organizations
· Understand and apply the principles of the circular economy and sustainable business models.
· Identify the risks and opportunities related to greenwashing and CSR.
· Engage with stakeholders and apply shared value creation models.
The first part discusses the fundamentals of financial accounting: (i) nature and purpose of financial accounting; (ii) basics of financial accounting, with specific respect to transaction analysis and to the preparation, use and interpretation of general-purpose financial statements; (iii) basic accounting terminology; (iv) analysis and interpretation of financial and economic performance of firms and companies. The Second part discusses the foundamentals of sustainability accounting also called non-financial reporting using mainly the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) with the general purpose to understand the structure, the main components and indicators used to analise environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of firms.
Management:
The management module explores the main themes and tools that organizations can use to drive the transition toward sustainability. It begins with a life-cycle perspective, introducing students to the principles and challenges of the circular economy. The course then examines the role of environmental regulation in shaping business strategies and highlights how changing consumer perceptions increasingly influence companies' approaches to sustainability.
Key issues such as greenwashing are addressed, providing students with the ability to recognize and critically assess misleading claims about environmental practices. The module also covers Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with a focus on stakeholder engagement and shared value theory, enabling students to understand how businesses can create value for both shareholders and society.
Other important topics include green management practices, sustainable supply chain management, and eco-innovation. Finally, the module analyzes the design and implementation of circular and sustainable business models, offering practical frameworks for integrating sustainability into core business strategy and operations.
At the end of the accounting module, students will be able to:
· Understand and apply the fundamentals of financial accounting and basic accounting terminology
· Analyze, interpret, and prepare general-purpose financial statements
· Evaluate the financial and economic performance of organizations
· Understand the principles and frameworks of sustainability accounting and non-financial reporting
· Interpret and use key ESG indicators, with a particular focus on the GRI and ESRS standards
· Assess how accounting practices contribute to greater transparency and accountability in organizations
· Understand and apply the principles of the circular economy and sustainable business models.
· Identify the risks and opportunities related to greenwashing and CSR.
· Engage with stakeholders and apply shared value creation models.
Prerequisites for admission
no prerequisites
Teaching methods
The course will alternate different teaching techniques: lectures, seminars, case study analysis and tutoring of team work. Lessons may also include pre-recorded materials.
Teaching Resources
Accounting:
For attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class through lectures and case studies. For non-attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class (available on the Ariel platform in the teaching material section) and the reference book: Libby, Libby, and Hodge, Financial Accounting (11th edition), McGraw-Hill, Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 5, 13.
Management:
For attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class through lectures and case studies. For non-attending students: Reference book "Strategic Management and the Circular Economy" Routledge by Marcello Tonelli and Nicolò Cristoni.
For attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class through lectures and case studies. For non-attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class (available on the Ariel platform in the teaching material section) and the reference book: Libby, Libby, and Hodge, Financial Accounting (11th edition), McGraw-Hill, Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 5, 13.
Management:
For attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class through lectures and case studies. For non-attending students: Reference book "Strategic Management and the Circular Economy" Routledge by Marcello Tonelli and Nicolò Cristoni.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam for non attending students consists of a written test.
The written exam will consist of a set of exercises, including a combination of open-ended questions (4 open questions, each worth 4 points for a correct answer) and multiple-choice questions (16 MCQs, each worth 1 point for a correct answer), aimed at assessing students' ability to understand managerial issues. The duration of the written test is commensurate with the number and structure of the assigned exercises, but in any case, will not exceed 1,5 hours.
There are a brief test and project works that replace the written test for the attending students. The results of the written tests and the intermediate tests will be communicated on the SIFA through the UNIMIA portal and/or through the Ariel platform. Please check the Ariel platform of the course before each exam for detailed information on classrooms, exam duration, format, and syllabus.
The written exam for non-attending students and the project works for attending students will be unique for the two modules merging both accounting and management teaching materials.
The written exam will consist of a set of exercises, including a combination of open-ended questions (4 open questions, each worth 4 points for a correct answer) and multiple-choice questions (16 MCQs, each worth 1 point for a correct answer), aimed at assessing students' ability to understand managerial issues. The duration of the written test is commensurate with the number and structure of the assigned exercises, but in any case, will not exceed 1,5 hours.
There are a brief test and project works that replace the written test for the attending students. The results of the written tests and the intermediate tests will be communicated on the SIFA through the UNIMIA portal and/or through the Ariel platform. Please check the Ariel platform of the course before each exam for detailed information on classrooms, exam duration, format, and syllabus.
The written exam for non-attending students and the project works for attending students will be unique for the two modules merging both accounting and management teaching materials.
SECS-P/08 - MANAGEMENT - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
De Noni Ivan, Orsi Luigi
Professor(s)
Reception:
You need to schedule a meeting with professor by mail
Department of Environmental Science and Politics, via Celoria 2, Milano
Reception:
Send an email to [email protected] for an appointment
via celoria 2, first building, first floor, room 19