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Sustainability Consulting

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 99 ratings
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Dr. Jonathan Tomkin

Sustainability Consulting will look at the techniques and careers of people who aid individuals, companies, governments, and other organizations in their efforts to pursue sustainability goals. Students will learn core concepts and tools sustainability consultants use (including Life Cycle Analysis). The course will also critically examine common sustainability consultant practices, including ESG, footprinting, and the role of LEED and other sustainability standards.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Dr. Jonathan Tomkin, who is recognized for their work in sustainability
Examines sustainability principles, which are highly relevant to business ethics
Develops skills in life cycle analyisis, which are core skills for sustainability
Explores ESG, which is a widely accepted toolset for assessing sustainability
Provides a comprehensive study of sustainability trends and practices
Teaches learners how to critically evaluate sustainability practices, which is useful for personal growth

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Reviews summary

Practical foundation in sustainability consulting

According to students, this course offers a solid foundation in sustainability consulting. Many praise its in-depth LCA coverage and critical ESG examination, preparing them for professional application. Learners appreciated clear instructor explanations and relevant case studies. While an excellent introduction, some desired more hands-on practical examples and project simulations to balance its theoretical depth. It's seen as a must-take for aspiring consultants.
Ideal as an introduction for newcomers, less for advanced learners.
"As someone new to sustainability, this course was a perfect introduction."
"For someone already familiar with sustainability basics, this might be too elementary and lack the depth for advanced practitioners."
"It serves more as an introduction than a skill-building course."
Instructor provides clear explanations; content is well-structured.
"The instructor's explanations were clear and the content felt very relevant to current industry practices."
"The lectures were well-structured."
"The instructor breaks down complex ideas into manageable pieces."
Covers current industry practices and critical perspectives.
"The content felt very relevant to current industry practices."
"The discussions on the controversies around ESG were particularly eye-opening."
"I particularly valued the critical perspective on ESG and certifications – it’s not just about what to do, but also understanding the nuances..."
Provides essential understanding of core sustainability concepts.
"This course provided an excellent foundation in sustainability consulting. The modules on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) were particularly insightful..."
"As someone new to sustainability, this course was a perfect introduction. It covers core concepts like LCA and ESG in a way that's easy to grasp."
"I gained a solid foundational understanding of LCA, ESG, and the consulting landscape. Definitely a must-take!"
"The emphasis on life cycle thinking is a major strength. I particularly valued the critical perspective on ESG and certifications..."
Offers strong theory, but some desire more hands-on activities.
"I felt some parts, especially the 'Certifying Sustainability' module, could have been more hands-on with practical examples..."
"I wished there were more real-world project simulations or templates to practice with."
"I enrolled hoping for practical skills for a consulting role, but found it heavily focused on theoretical concepts..."
"It serves more as an introduction than a skill-building course."

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 Sustainability Consulting with these activities:
Review Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Concepts
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) before the course to enhance your understanding of the methods used to analyze environmental impacts throughout a product's lifespan.
Browse courses on Life Cycle Assessment
Show steps
  • Read introductory materials on LCA
  • Review the LCA framework and its phases
  • Explore case studies of LCA applications
Review basic concepts of sustainability
Start the course with a refresher on the core concepts of sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic considerations. This will provide a strong foundation for understanding the topics covered in the course.
Browse courses on Sustainability
Show steps
  • Read introductory articles or blog posts on sustainability.
  • Review notes or textbooks from previous courses or readings on sustainability.
  • Look up unfamiliar terms and concepts related to sustainability.
Participate in Sustainability Projects
Gain practical experience in sustainability by volunteering with organizations working on environmental or social impact projects. This will allow you to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.
Browse courses on Volunteering
Show steps
  • Identify organizations involved in sustainability initiatives
  • Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Commit to a project and contribute your skills
Seven other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all ten activities
Explore ESG Reporting Frameworks and Standards
Expand your knowledge of ESG reporting frameworks and standards to stay updated with industry practices and enhance your ability to assess corporate sustainability performance.
Browse courses on ESG Reporting
Show steps
  • Review the GRI Standards
  • Explore the SASB Standards
  • Examine the TCFD Recommendations
Practice life cycle assessment calculations
Engage in practice drills to solidify your understanding of life cycle assessment calculations. This skill is crucial for analyzing the environmental impact of products and processes in sustainability consulting.
Browse courses on Life Cycle Assessment
Show steps
  • Find practice problems or case studies involving LCA calculations.
  • Attempt to solve the problems on your own, using the principles and formulas taught in the course.
  • Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with peers or instructors for feedback.
Attend Sustainability Industry Webinars or Conferences
Connect with professionals in the sustainability field by attending webinars or conferences. This will broaden your perspectives and provide opportunities for collaboration.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify relevant webinars or conferences
  • Register and attend the events
  • Network with speakers and attendees
Calculate Environmental Impacts Using LCA Tools
Enhance your practical skills by using LCA software or online tools to quantify environmental impacts. This will strengthen your ability to apply LCA in sustainability consulting.
Browse courses on Life Cycle Assessment
Show steps
  • Choose an LCA tool or software
  • Define the goal and scope of your assessment
  • Collect data on inputs and outputs
  • Calculate the environmental impacts
Follow tutorials on sustainability reporting
Enhance your understanding of sustainability reporting by following tutorials. This will equip you with the skills to communicate the sustainability performance of organizations effectively.
Browse courses on Sustainability Reporting
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials or webinars on sustainability reporting.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete any exercises or assignments.
  • Apply the principles and techniques you learn to real-world sustainability reporting scenarios.
Develop a Sustainability Consulting Proposal
Showcase your understanding of sustainability consulting by creating a comprehensive proposal that outlines a plan to address a specific sustainability challenge for an organization.
Show steps
  • Identify the organization and its sustainability needs
  • Research industry best practices
  • Develop a tailored proposal
  • Present your proposal
Develop a case study on sustainability practices
Create a case study that analyzes the sustainability practices of a company or organization. This will allow you to apply your knowledge of sustainability principles and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Select a company or organization to focus on.
  • Research the company's sustainability initiatives and practices.
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the company's sustainability efforts.
  • Develop recommendations for improvement based on your analysis.
  • Write up your case study, including an introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainability Consulting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Course image
Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
5 hours to complete
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Instructor
Dr. Jonathan Tomkin
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Dr. Jonathan Tomkin, who is recognized for their work in sustainability
Examines sustainability principles, which are highly relevant to business ethics
Develops skills in life cycle analyisis, which are core skills for sustainability
Explores ESG, which is a widely accepted toolset for assessing sustainability
Provides a comprehensive study of sustainability trends and practices
Teaches learners how to critically evaluate sustainability practices, which is useful for personal growth
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