Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making from Coursera

The aim of the course is to introduce businesses employees to the Capitals Approach and help them to get started with integrating natural, social and human capitals into business decision-making. This course is an introductory course; no prior knowledge of natural, human or social capital is needed.

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the capitals approach and to undertaking a natural capital assessment, and is available for all employees and leaders, sustainability practitioners, procurement officers, accountants, human resources, auditing, strategy, risk management and finance departments. The material is covered in good depth and will require time and commitment to learning. Due to its comprehensive character, the course may be less suited to C-level management.

The course consists of four modules and its structure follows the internationally recognized Natural Capital Protocol and Social and Human Capital Protocols. The course features many business examples to demonstrate why and how other businesses have integrated natural, social & human capital impacts and dependencies into their decision-making and management practices.

The first two modules guide learners through risks and opportunities related to nature, people and society; introduce the concept of a Capitals Approach and present the business case for undertaking an integrated capitals assessment. The third and fourth modules focus specifically on natural capital and how to get started with a natural capital assessment. These modules guide learners along the scoping stage and introduce students to measuring and valuing natural capital.

By the end of the course, participants are expected to have learned about the different capitals, why it is essential to embed them into business decision-making, and how to get started with a capitals assessment. Future course specializations will build upon this introductory course, by providing additional content on social and human capital and allowing the learner to go more in depth with the content and application.

This course has been developed by the Capitals Coalition, supported by We Value Nature, a collaboration between ICAEW, WBCSD, IUCN & Oppla, with the support of Nature^Squared.

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Syllabus

The Role of Businesses in Addressing the Great Challenges of Nature Loss, Climate Change and Inequality

Better Managing Risks and Opportunities by Adopting a Capitals Approach

Getting Started with a Natural Capital Assessment: Defining the Objective and Determining the Appropriate Scope

Measuring and Valuing Impacts and Dependencies to Integrate Natural Capital in Decision-Making

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appealing to those with a stake in corporate sustainability

Relevant to departments such as sustainability, procurement, accounting, and risk management

Ideal for professionals looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Capitals Approach

Useful for individuals interested in integrating natural, social, and human capitals into business decision-making

May be less suitable for C-level management due to its detailed nature

No prior knowledge of natural, human, or social capital is assumed

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making with these activities:

Review basic accounting principles and concepts

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Brushing up on accounting principles will provide a strong foundation for understanding natural capital accounting.

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Review textbooks or online resources
Solve practice problems and exercises

Volunteer with an organization focused on sustainability or social impact

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Volunteering will provide practical experience in applying sustainability principles and fostering social responsibility.

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Identify relevant organizations
Inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer events and participate in activities

Review key concepts related to business decision-making

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Reviewing key concepts in business decision-making will provide a strong foundation for understanding the Capitals Approach and its application in business contexts.

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Discuss key concepts with peers or mentors
Read articles and books on business decision-making frameworks
Summarize key concepts and theories related to decision-making

Eight other activities

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Review 'Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution' by Paul Hawken

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Reading 'Natural Capitalism' will provide insights into successful business strategies that prioritize environmental and social sustainability.

View Natural Capitalism on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Summarize key concepts and case studies
Reflect on the implications for business decision-making

Attend a workshop on natural capital accounting or valuation

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Attending a workshop will provide in-depth training on specific aspects of the Capitals Approach, such as natural capital accounting and valuation.

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Identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshop
Participate actively in discussions and exercises

Identify and analyze business cases using the Capitals Approach

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Practicing the application of the Capitals Approach in business case analysis will enhance understanding of its practical implementation and benefits.

Browse courses on Capitals Approach

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Select real-world business cases
Identify and analyze natural, social, and human capital impacts
Evaluate the implications of the analysis on business decisions

Attend industry conferences or workshops on sustainability

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Attending industry events will provide opportunities to connect with professionals in the field and gain insights into real-world applications of the Capitals Approach.

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Identify relevant industry events
Attend sessions and engage in discussions
Network with other attendees

Explore Case Studies of Capitals Assessment

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Gain practical insights into the application of the Capitals Approach by reviewing real-world case studies of businesses that have successfully integrated natural, social, and human capital into their decision-making.

Browse courses on Natural Capital Assessment

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Search for case studies related to capitals assessment.
Read and analyze the case studies.
Identify key learnings and best practices.

Develop a presentation or infographic on the Capitals Approach

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Creating a presentation or infographic will enhance understanding of the Capitals Approach and its key concepts, while also developing communication and outreach skills.

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Gather information and research the topic
Develop a clear and concise message
Design and create the presentation or infographic
Share the presentation or infographic with others

Develop a Capitals Assessment Plan

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Deepen your understanding of natural capital assessment by creating a comprehensive plan for conducting an assessment within a specific business context.

Browse courses on Natural Capital Assessment

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Identify the objectives of the capitals assessment.
Determine the scope of the assessment.
Develop a data collection strategy.
Create a plan for measuring and valuing natural capital.

Develop a natural capital assessment plan

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Creating a natural capital assessment plan will provide hands-on experience in applying the course concepts to a practical business scenario.

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Define the scope and objectives of the assessment
Identify relevant natural capital assets and impacts
Develop a data collection and analysis strategy
Outline reporting and communication methods

Career center

Learners who complete Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Consultant

This Capitals Coalition course may be useful for Environmental Consultants as it provides a comprehensive introduction to natural capital assessment, which is a valuable tool for environmental consulting. By understanding the risks and opportunities associated with nature, people, and society, Environmental Consultants can provide more informed advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

ESG Analyst

ESG Analysts may find the Capitals Coalition's course helpful as it provides a framework for understanding and measuring the social and environmental impacts of business activities. This knowledge can help ESG Analysts to better evaluate the sustainability performance of companies and make more informed investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst

Sustainability Manager

The Capitals Coalition's course on Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making can help a Sustainability Manager integrate natural, social, and human capital into their decision-making process. This will enable them to build a strong foundation for their business's sustainability strategy and make more informed and sustainable decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Analyst

For Sustainability Analysts, the course on Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making may be beneficial as it provides a comprehensive introduction to natural capital assessment, which is a key tool for sustainability analysis. This knowledge can help Sustainability Analysts to better understand the environmental and social impacts of business activities and make more informed recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Reporting Manager

The Capitals Coalition course on Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making may be useful for Sustainability Reporting Managers as it provides guidance on how to measure and value social and environmental impacts. This knowledge can help Sustainability Reporting Managers to produce more comprehensive and accurate sustainability reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Reporting Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers will find the Capitals Coalition's course on natural capital assessment particularly relevant to their role as it introduces a framework for understanding and measuring the social and environmental impacts of business activities. This knowledge can help CSR Managers to develop and implement more effective sustainability strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

ESG Investment Analyst

For ESG Investment Analysts, the Capitals Coalition's course may be useful as it provides a framework for understanding and measuring the social and environmental impacts of business activities. This knowledge can help ESG Investment Analysts to better evaluate the sustainability performance of companies and make more informed investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Investment Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants who specialize in natural capital accounting may find this course particularly useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to the Capitals Approach and natural capital assessment. This knowledge can help Sustainability Consultants to provide more informed advice to their clients and to develop more effective sustainability strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Natural Resource Manager

For Natural Resource Managers who are interested in integrating natural capital assessment into their work, this Capitals Coalition course may be useful. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the Capitals Approach and to undertaking a natural capital assessment, which can help Natural Resource Managers to better understand the value of natural resources and to make more informed management decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resource Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists who work in the area of natural capital assessment may find this course useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic. The course can help Environmental Scientists to develop a stronger understanding of the Capitals Approach and to better integrate natural capital considerations into their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts who work on environmental or sustainability issues may find this Capitals Coalition course useful as it provides a comprehensive introduction to the Capitals Approach and natural capital assessment. This knowledge can help Policy Analysts to develop more informed policies and to better integrate natural capital considerations into their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Actuary

Actuaries who work on environmental or sustainability issues may find this Capitals Coalition course useful. By understanding the risks and opportunities associated with natural capital, Actuaries can better assess the financial implications of climate change and other environmental issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Sustainability Officer

The Capitals Coalition's course may be useful for Sustainability Officers as it provides a framework for understanding and measuring the social and environmental impacts of business activities. This knowledge can help Sustainability Officers to develop and implement more effective sustainability strategies and make more informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Officer

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts who work on environmental or sustainability issues may find this Capitals Coalition course useful. By understanding the risks and opportunities associated with natural capital, Financial Analysts can better assess the financial implications of climate change and other environmental issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Risk Manager

Risk Managers who are interested in understanding the risks and opportunities associated with natural capital may find this Capitals Coalition course useful. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the Capitals Approach and to natural capital assessment, which can help Risk Managers to better identify and manage risks and opportunities related to nature.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Valuing nature and people to inform business decision-making

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Syllabus

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