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Program

Corporate Water Risk and Strategy Workshop Series

Water issues have become a fundamental risk consideration for any company involved in manufacturing, with an extractive or agricultural supply chain, or operating in water-stressed regions. This workshop series provides students with a basic fluency in the terminology of water risk.
Corporate Water Risk and Strategy Workshop Series

Program Overview

Water issues have moved beyond the province of the beverage industry and water utilities. They are now an integral piece of the risk matrix for companies involved in manufacturing, those with an extractive or agricultural supply chain, and those operating in water-stressed regions.

The Corporate Water Risk and Strategy Workshop is a six-week, student-run course that provides a platform for groups of students from across Yale to collaborate and work with a client on a current water-related business or supply-chain question. In past years, the majority of students have been from the School of Management and the School of the Environment, leading to teams with a strong mix of business and sustainability knowledge; however, students from all schools across Yale are encouraged to participate. This workshop was created out of a need to better understand the complexity of water-related risk and to integrate water risk awareness into corporate and supply chain practices and decision-making. It has been student-run since 2015.

Over the 6-week course, students will strengthen their understanding of water risk and management through presentations from experts in the field and conversations with the client and stakeholders. Students will analyze the topics of water resource materiality and risk through a holistic lens, with the end goal of developing solutions that address the shared risk water challenges pose to a supply chain, from agricultural to corporate operations. The case study presented by the client will provide students with basic fluency in the terminology of water risk, as well as the relevant tools, ideas, and processes needed to improve stakeholder communication and water resource management. At the end of the course, student groups will present their findings and proposals to the client.

The 2024 Workshop Series

Interested in water issues, sustainable food systems, or architectural design?

This year’s client is CitySeed, a New Haven-based organization that supports the local food system. CitySeed is dedicated to providing New Haven residents with access to fresh, local food and building economic opportunities in the food system. CitySeed runs three core programs: year-round Farmers Markets across New Haven; Sanctuary Kitchen, a program that provides professional development and economic opportunity for refugees and immigrants; and CitySeed Incubates, an incubator for local food entrepreneurs. 

CitySeed is currently focused on raising capital to renovate their new, permanent building at 162 James St in Fair Haven. In addition to envisioning how they will use their new space, CitySeed is interested in understanding how the entire food system - farmers, food entrepreneurs, the new building, and CitySeed itself - can develop lasting solutions through responsible water use. Students will learn about New Haven’s food systems and the local Mill River, as well as how buildings, farmers, and entrepreneurs can be responsible water stewards. Working with CitySeed represents an exciting opportunity for students to have a real impact on the local New Haven community.

You can have a look at our tentative syllabus here.

 

Registration info

Enrollment in the workshop will be limited to approximately 20 students. The workshop will be held over six Monday sessions from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM in Fall 2 - 2024 semester. 

This workshop is offered for 1.5 credits at YSE and 2 credit at SOM. Once you are accepted into the workshop, you will need to register for the project course by submitting the below add/drop form to YSE Registrar’s office.  YSE Add/Drop Form can be found here: https://yse.to/coursechangeform

2024 Tentative Dates

  • October 21
  • October 28
  • November 4
  • November 11
  • November 18
  • December 2

People & Partners

Master of Environmental Management 2025
Senior Lecturer in Sustainability at Yale School of Management
Faculty Co-Director at Yale Center for Business and the Environment
Executive Director at Yale Center for Business and the Environment
MBA 2011
Master of Environmental Management 2011

Program Alumni