Assignment Task 1 Case Study [60 Marks]
The Garment Industry in Bangladesh: A Human Rights Challenge (document supplied) Keeping the paper by Peter and Sarah Stanwick as a frame of reference, please submit a compelling essay (2500 – 3000 words). Please ensure that you:

1. Discuss the key sustainability issues prevalent in the garment industry. Demonstrate a general understanding of the UN Sustainable development goals and the challenges faced in implementation of sustainable initiatives in the apparel industry. (15 Marks) – 750 words
• Identify 4-6 sustainability issues in the garment industry.
• Discuss about UN SDG & the resolutions taken (Focus on 3-4 SDG’s)
• Identify challenges faced in implementing sustainable initiatives in apparel industry – 4 challenges & solutions.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the effects of sustainability on supply chains in the apparel industry by evaluating some of the global best practices in ethical sourcing implemented by organisations in the apparel industry.(15 Marks)
3. Formulate sustainable strategies to improve the working conditions of the garment workers in Bangladesh. Critically analyse the role of HR in driving sustainability in such organisations.(15 Marks)
4. Many global fashion brands had orders with Rana Plaza at the time of its collapse. These include Benetton, Cato Fashions, The Children’s Place, El Corte Ingles, Joe Fresh, Kik, Mango, Matalan and Primark. Choose one of the brands from the above list and critically review some of the strategies they have implemented to manage sustainability in their business functions. Critically evaluate the role of the CEO of these brands/organisations in dealing with such a reputational crisis (Rana Plaza Collapse) and provide suitable recommendations (10 marks).

Assignment Task 2 Report [40 Marks]
Submit a report (2000-2500 words) with the aim to discuss the linkages between business operations and the environmental and societal challenges with regards to sustainability. For this task, you can choose industry you currently work in, or an industry you are familiar with as a frame of reference, to answer all questions given below.

1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on your chosen industry. (10 marks)
2. Identify financing challenges for sustainable development and provide suitable recommendations based on independent research and discussions with peers and specialist practitioners from your industry. (6 marks)
3. Critically review the influence of sustainability on production & design in the chosen industry. Identify and discuss innovative business strategies that will help in addressing the sustainability challenges in your chosen organisation. (10 marks)
4. Critically review the impact of regulations & international codes on sustainability in the chosen industry. How can you influence the management to adopt the regulations and codes in your organisation? (7 marks)
5. Demonstrate a general understanding of the importance of sustainability reporting by critically discussing the sustainability report (last financial year) of your chosen organisation or any other organisation in your industry, clearly interpreting and evaluating the data within the report. (7 marks)

Presentation & References: The whole report should be presented in a well written, structured format, and which makes correct use the Harvard Referencing System (HRS). [5 Marks]

Answers to Above Case Study Questions

Answer 1: An analysis of the government industry in Bangladesh indicates that there are many sustainability issues that are evident within such industry. The most significant once as noted are poor working conditions for employees with long hours of working and low wages, excessive level of pollution from dyeing processes, water wastages and use of hazardous chemicals, health risk, issues of child labour and gender discrimination, and over production issues as well.