University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Sustainability Leadership Executive Programme

Online short course

This comprehensive programme combines three exceptional Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) courses to give you a systems-level understanding of sustainable business practices.

27 weeks, excluding orientation

6–10 hours per week, entirely online

Weekly modules, live sessions, flexible learning

Multiple payment options

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

1

A comprehensive action and leadership plan to meet sustainability targets and strategic goals.

2

The frameworks for applying systems thinking to business and climate challenges.

3

The skills to design resilient, low carbon business models.

4

The practical strategies to embed sustainability initiatives in your organisation.

Course curriculum

Section 1

Module 1: System forces and sustainability challenges shaping business today
Explore the global pressures and sustainability challenges impacting organisations and communities today.

Module 2: Business, purpose and leadership for a sustainable future
Explore the commercial imperative for sustainable business practices and learn how businesses can transform systems to effect change.

Module 3: Navigating the regulatory and policy environment
Learn how the regulatory environment affects sustainable change in business, and understand the importance of adopting well-designed regulatory frameworks.

Module 4: Rethinking production and consumption
Explore how consumption shapes production and affects the environment, and learn alternative approaches to creating shared value within your network. 

Module 5: Reimagining business through design, technology and innovation
Assess how innovative design, planning, and technology facilitate adoption of a sustainable business strategy. 

Module 6: Stakeholder engagement and communication
Dive into the world of stakeholder engagement and communication, and learn why they're so crucial for advancing business sustainability. 

Module 7: Individual and collective leadership for change
Reflect on the principles, practices and strategies you can use as a leader to drive change at various levels within your organisation. 

Module 8: Planning for personal impact
Translate your learnings into a personal action plan that you can implement to address key business sustainability challenges, risks and opportunities within your organisation.

Section 2

Module 1: A changing climate for business
Discover the impact and dependencies of climate change on society, the global economy and your business.

Module 2: The vision of a net zero future
Reimagine a more prosperous, net zero world and envision the milestones to get there.

Module 3: Planning the transition to net zero
Explore how failing to decarbonise presents inherent and challenging risks.

Module 4: Collaborating and leading a net zero transition
Discover the importance of policy and partnership in moving beyond business as usual.

Module 5: Decarbonisation success stories
Explore examples of success in moving from a carbon-intensive to a net zero economy.

Module 6: Innovation and design for a net zero 21st century
Understand why net zero innovation requires a shift in how the economy grows.

Module 7: Leading change and coping with disruption
Recognise the leadership competencies required to encourage the winners and enable the losers to benefit from a net zero transition.

Module 8: Your role in leading the transition
Describing your role, forecasting barriers and embracing support for effectively leading a change process.

Section 3

Module 1: High impact leadership and its importance
Explore the concept of leadership and its role in developing individuals, businesses and society as a whole.

Module 2: Exploring the context for leadership and the related challenges
Understand the different contexts in which leadership is required and the challenges affecting leadership in these spheres.

Module 3: What does high impact leadership look like?
Explore perspectives on high impact leadership and discover why it is beneficial to lead with purpose.

Module 4: The future we want, the leadership we need
Discover how important leadership is in our rapidly changing world, and explore strategies and practices for leading in a future-forward manner.

Module 5: High impact leadership capabilities
Explore the values, thinking and practices that underpin high impact leadership.

Module 6: Communicating for influence
Discover valuable practices and techniques for enhancing stakeholder engagement and communication.

Module 7: Developing the mindset and skills for innovation
Consider the role of the leader in fostering innovation and develop your entrepreneurial mindset.

Module 8: Rewiring your leadership to achieve your goals
Discover perspectives on how to rewire your leadership and continue your development as a high impact leader.

Course Convenors

This executive programme is led by CISL faculty and sustainability experts, who bring a wealth of academic knowledge and industry experience in leadership, climate risk and organisational change.

Zoë Arden

Fellow and Leadership Consultant, CISL
Zoë is an independent leadership and communications specialist who has supported more than 3,000 business leaders globally to develop their leadership capability and maximise their positive influence and impact. She is passionate about supporting existing and aspiring leaders to strengthen their capability, confidence, courage and commitment to lead change.

Bruce Haase

Senior Associate, CISL
Bruce has taught on CISL's online courses since 2017 when the first course was offered and has been a Head Tutor on both the Business Sustainability Management Course and the Business and Climate Change course. He also served as a regular member of faculty on CISL’s Sustainability Practitioners Programme in South Africa.

Dimitri Zenghelis

Senior Associate, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Dimitri Zenghelis is Special Advisor to the Wealth Economy project, which he also co-founded, centred at Cambridge University. He is also a Senior Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics. He was until recently Head of Policy at the Grantham Research Institute at the LSE and Acting Chief Economist for the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate.

An online education that sets you apart

This University of Cambridge online executive programme is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:

Gain invaluable competencies and recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, online and in your own time.

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

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

Want to know more?

Enter your information to access the course brochure and learn more about this course from GetSmarter.

Want to know more?

Enter your information to access the course brochure and learn more about this course from GetSmarter.