UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

Business Sustainability Management

Stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape by implementing integrated sustainability strategies in your business.

Duration

8 weeks, excluding
orientation

Effort

8–10 hours per week,
entirely online

Learning Format

Course modules
released weekly

Other Detail

Flexible payment
options available

This International Women’s Day, take 20% off course fees until 26 March.

Elevate your career and the people around you. It’s time to #AccelerateAction. Take your first step today.

Use code IWD2025 at checkout.*

*Offer applies to any start date for participating courses where registration is currently open as long as you register and pay by 26 March 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (US). To redeem the offer for executive education courses, register on getsmarter.com, using code IWD2025 at checkout. The discount cannot be combined with any other offers for executive education courses.

This course is for you if:

  • You want to expand your knowledge of sustainability across various organisations, industries and practices; including business, consulting, environmental, social and governance (ESG), and energy sectors
  • You want to stay relevant and leverage new market opportunities amid rapid industry changes
  • You’re looking to start a business, shift career paths or broaden your skill set within your current role
  • You’re in a management role or leadership position and want to lead the sustainability transition within your team and organisation

This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.

Course curriculum

Over the duration of this online short course, recently updated with the latest insights from CISL experts, you will work your way through the following modules:
 

Module 1 System forces and sustainability challenges shaping business today
Learn how global pressures, sustainability challenges and business impact people, nature and climate.

Module 2 Business, purpose and leadership for a sustainable future
Discover the role of business and leadership in driving sustainability and the business case for sustainable practices.

Module 3 Navigating the regulatory and policy environment
Explore the impact of the regulatory environment on diverse business sustainability contexts.

Module 4 Rethinking production and consumption
Learn how production and consumption impacts society and the environment, and how to leverage alternative approaches to create long-term value for all stakeholders.

Module 5 Reimagining business through design, technology and innovation
Discover the potential for design, technology and innovation to accelerate business sustainability.

Module 6 Stakeholder engagement and communication
Explore the importance of collaboration and communication in advancing sustainability.

Module 7 Individual and collective leadership for change
Explore your role as a leader and change agent in your sphere of influence.

Module 8 Planning for personal impact
Translate your knowledge into a Personal Action Plan for addressing business sustainability.

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

1

An understanding of the potential for design, technology and innovation to accelerate sustainable outcomes.

2

The ability to engage, communicate and collaborate with your key stakeholders to create long-term value.

3

The principles, practices and strategies you can use to lead change at various levels within an organisation.

4

A practical action plan to deliver a sustainable outcome in your organisation, sector or sphere of influence.

Your Course Convenor

Bruce Haase

Senior Associate of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

With more than 20 years’ experience in international business, Bruce Haase brings a deep understanding of business sustainability issues and hands-on experience implementing sustainability strategies within commercial organisations. His business experience includes 10 years at Canon Europe, where he served as CSR Director for EMEA, leading several NGO, public-private partnership and commodity supply-chain initiatives. He has a passion for promoting organisational change and innovative business approaches, and regularly appears as a speaker at global event lectures. Currently, Bruce provides his own sustainability consulting and communication services to organisations, focusing on facilitation skills and the training of businesses, NGOs and multi-stakeholder groups. His previous roles include serving as the head of the Climate Business Engagement Unit within WWF International, where he was responsible for the prestigious Climate Savers programme.

“This online course has been a great experience. I've learnt so much and it's driven me to learn more about my company's sustainability credentials. It has motivated me to network at work, and over the last eight weeks, I've gone from a guy in a bank that's passionate about sustainability, to someone who's actively involved in driving CSR initiatives that could help make a real difference. Module 8 is a great way to end as it sets you up to continue your journey and achieve your goals.”
– Tom D., Risk Data Steward, BNP Paribas

The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is an institution within the University of Cambridge. Its mission is to empower individuals and organisations to take the lead in tackling critical global challenges. By offering supported, interactive online short courses, CISL is able to share its knowledge and purpose with a worldwide audience.
Graph Stats Image

An online education that sets you apart

This University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider, GetSmarter, part of edX. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:

usp-slot-one

Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time

usp-slot-two

Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step

usp-slot-three

Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones

Get more information

Want to know more?
Enter your information below to learn more about the University of Cambridge Business Sustainability Management online short course, including receiving the course prospectus, from GetSmarter.

Please enter your first name