Description

The course gives a general introduction to environmental certification and eco labelling schemes relevant for coastal or marine management, including historic development, rationale and corporate environmentalism. First, second and third party labelling schemes will be explained.

Then, the focus will be on components and use of environmental certification and eco labelling schemes, followed by examples and case studies. Students will review the rationale for environmental certification and eco labelling schemes, as well as their principles, components, use and common criticism.

Examples of environmental certification and eco labelling schemes relevant for coastal or marine management are: ISO 14020 environmental management series, Blueflag certification, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), and Marine Aquarium Council (MAC).

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• select, recommend and defend a specific environmental certification program or an eco labelling scheme relevant for coastal or marine management, for a given context
• communicate complex issues to an instructor as well as to peer audience
• constructively criticise a presentation/briefing of a specific environmental certification program or an eco labelling scheme relevant for coastal or marine management, for a given context
• apply their knowledge, understanding and proficiency in new and unfamiliar situations

Assessment

• Evaluation of an environmental certification program or an eco labelling scheme, relevant for coastal or marine management, for a given context (supplied by instructor). Group assignment 60% of final grade
• Panel review of another group's performance. Group assignment 20% of final grade
• Performance within group (peer-reviewed by other group members) 20% of final grade

Instructor

Guest lecturer

Further reading