Sustainability Leadership

Module 1: Sustainability challenges and opportunities

What needs to change, and how to bridge the sustainability gap through rewiring the economy.

• Identify the key systems pressures and trends that are affecting the economy and society
• Discuss the impact of industrialization and population growth on the widening gap between the rich and the poor
• Identify the impact and dependencies of the private sector on natural and social capital
• Identify the key scientific findings that highlight the need to act on climate change and the degradation of natural capital
• Discuss how economic, social, and environmental challenges can only be met through rethinking the current growth model
• Illustrate how government, business, and finance each individually, and in collaboration, have a role to play in delivering sustainable outcomes
• Investigate the impact of current global economic, social, and environmental pressures on business in a global context

Module 2: Production and consumption

The value chain: Implementing business models and processes for sourcing, producing, and consuming sustainably.

• Recognize the range of different approaches to sustainable production and consumption that companies can influence
• Discuss how companies can challenge current production and consumption practices
• Show how sustainable production practices might be applied in other business contexts
• Identify the degree to which businesses have a responsibility to educate and influence stakeholders on sustainable consumption to shape future consumption patterns
• Analyze the tension between global strategies to reduce consumption and responding to the aspirations of a growing middle class in developing and emerging economies
• Justify the importance of integrating sustainability across an organization’s value chain to ensure long-term value creation

Module 3: Applying performance management to sustainability

By definition, performance measurement is always selective. Businesses cannot measure every aspect of performance, so they must decide the most important metrics and indicators to focus on. When evaluating an organization’s performance measurement systems (in relation to sustainability) key questions to ask will be

• What is being measured? What measures are chosen?
• To what extent are aspects of sustainability covered in an organization’s performance measurement system? Are measures of sustainability included?
• To what extent do the chosen performance indicators enable management to measure performance from a sustainability perspective?
• Are the measures chosen the most appropriate ones for the organization to be using?
• Do the chosen measures provide a balanced picture of the organization’s performance (rather than, for example, just focusing on areas which the organization is doing well)?

As well as the areas being measured, another important consideration is the extent to which the data being gathered is reliable and meaningful.

• How is performance measured (eg inputs; activities; outputs), and can the data be reliably captured?
• Are there benchmarks or comparators against which performance can be assessed?
• Are performance me
• Is information presented in a way which maximizes its usefulness to its audience?

Module 4: Circular economy

Our current linear economy consumes finite resources, turns them into products, and creates a never-ending stream of waste. Through the clever design of products, systems, and policies, we can instead create a circular approach that benefits businesses, people, and the planet.

• Understanding the circular economy
• Designing for a circular economy
• Making the shift

Module 5: Take advantage of new business opportunities

Green businesses or sustainable businesses focus on creating a positive impact on the environment and within their communities. They achieve this by sourcing sustainable raw materials from local markets, energy efficiency, recycling, and other green practices. 

As an eco-conscious entrepreneur, your business model will run differently from those pursuing a traditional business model. While the traditional business model will focus on budgets, design processes, product distribution, and so on, the green business model will balance environmental impact and profit.