UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

Business and Climate Change:
Towards Net Zero Emissions

Gain insights into the organisational risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and learn to hybridise your skill set and rewire your business model for long-term value and resilience

Duration

8 weeks, excluding
orientation

Effort

8–10 hours per week,
entirely online

Learning Format

Weekly modules,
flexible learning

This course is for you if:

 

  • You understand that climate change impacts every professional’s role today and wish to hybridise your skill set to meet this challenge
  • You’d like to explore real-world innovation and design strategies that can enhance long-term organisational and professional resilience
  • You want to sustainably and profitably rewire your business model for long-term value, and drive change toward a net zero future

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, you’ll work through the following modules:

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
The need to repurpose the economic system

Explore the risks and opportunities as the economic system is repurposed.

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 low carbon 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.

Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.

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

1

A real-world understanding of the multifaceted business risks posed by climate change, and the strategic opportunities and untapped value that arise from taking action.

2

Strategies for hybridising your professional skill set to make climate action a concrete part of your everyday role and responsibilities.

3

The ability to rewire your business model and drive collaborative action to foster long-term resilience and stimulate a triple bottom line of people, profit, and planet.

4

An action plan to facilitate the transition to net zero emissions to help you set your organisation's sustainability objectives enabling you to lead change in your context and beyond.

Accreditation Logo

This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 80 hours of learning.

Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

Course Convenors

Dimitri Zenghelis

Senior Associate, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Zenghelis is a senior associate at CISL and the leader of the Wealth Economy project. He is also a senior visiting fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Zenghelis advises a range of multinational, financial, and government institutions, including the Mayor of London and the UK Committee, on climate change.

Martin Roberts

Director of Digital Learning, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Roberts joined CISL as a programme director in 2008. He is an expert in strategic thinking, sustainability, and business leadership, having helped companies across sectors in Africa, Asia, and Europe develop their own solutions to natural resource challenges. Roberts is responsible for digital learning at CISL, and has a keen interest in using technology to create impactful educational opportunities, democratise learning, and promote change. By heading the design and delivery of CISL’s popular portfolio of online courses, Roberts has equipped thousands of business leaders to reshape their organisations and apply the innovative business models of the future.

“One of the best courses I have attended. Rich and well-structured content with a great mix of format, and a strong, dedicated team of tutors. The case studies and the assignments pushed me to explore new facets of the climate ‘systems’. If you feel the urge to act on climate change and want to equip yourself with knowledge and methods, this is a very effective place to start.”

Jacques Ohannessian, Senior Director of Marketing Analytics, Adidas

An online education that sets you apart

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

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

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

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

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