Sustainability Assessment of Agricultural Businesses

44B0691

Bachelor

German

5.0

only winter term

1 semester

In the course 'Sustainability Assessment of Agricultural Businesses', students learn how to use various sustainability indicators to assess and promote ecological, economic and social efficiency in agricultural systems. Furthermore, they acquire basic knowledge in the economic evaluation of energy and material flows. This enables them to combine economic approaches with sustainable practices in order to improve operational efficiency and environmental protection. They understand the basic principles of sustainability in agriculture and learn how to integrate sustainability aspects into economic decisions. Students are also able to analyze case studies, conduct practical sustainability assessments and develop suggestions for improving agricultural systems.

1) Introduction

• Definition and dimensions of sustainability
• History and evolution of the concept of sustainability in agriculture
• Basics of economic evaluation
• Overview of energy and material flows in agriculture

2) Methods of data collection and analysis

• Introduction to various sustainability indicators and standards
• Assessment systems and certifications in agriculture
• Tools and techniques for recording energy and material flows
• Models for data analysis

3) Economic evaluation methods

• Overview of qualitative and quantitative methods
• Cost-benefit analysis Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA)
• Return on investment for energy efficiency and optimization measures
• Case studies on the application of different evaluation methods

4) Optimization of energy and material flows

• Data analysis and interpretation of results
• Technologies for increasing efficiency
• Reduction of environmental impact through optimization of resource use
• Case studies on the implementation of optimization measures

5) Sustainable economic efficiency strategies

• Integration of environmental sustainability and economic efficiency
• Funding and subsidies for sustainable investments
• Development of business models: Combining sustainability and profitability
• Best practices for sustainable agricultural practices and rewarding sustainability performance

6) Practical application

• Integration of sustainability measures into operational processes
• Economic evaluation and optimization proposal for an agricultural business
• Discussions on innovative technologies and approaches for sustainable agriculture, taking into account global challenges
• Guest lectures by practical experts, if applicable

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Lecture and presentation
• Group work and discussion rounds
• Practical exercises and case studies
• Guest lectures from the industry, if applicable

• oral exam or
• Homework / Assignment or
• Written examination

The standard form of assessment is a oral examination (alternative forms of examination may be selected by the examiner and then announced at the start of the course)

oral examination according to the general part of the examination regulations

• Knowledge in the fields of sustainability and material flow management is helpful
• Experience in agricultural practice is helpful

Students learn about various sustainability indicators and how these can be used to assess and improve the ecological, economic and social performance of agricultural systems. They also acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills in the economic evaluation of energy and material flows.

Students are able to combine economic considerations with sustainable practices in agriculture and thereby promote both operational efficiency and environmental protection. To this end, they practise the application of various methods and tools for recording and analyzing energy and material flows and for evaluating the sustainability performance of farms.

Students understand the basic principles and concepts of sustainability in agriculture and the corresponding significance of energy and material flows. On this basis, they will be able to reconcile sustainability aspects with economic decisions and discuss these using specialist vocabulary.

Students will be able to analyze concrete case studies, conduct sustainability assessments with practical relevance and develop recommendations for improving sustainability in agricultural systems. Through the combination of theoretical foundations and practical applications, students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them to actively design and implement sustainable solutions in agriculture as well as an understanding of the complexity and multidimensionality of sustainability in the agricultural sector.

• Berstermann, Jan

• Berstermann, Jan