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Sustainable Business

Big Issues, Big Changes

John Byrd and Kenneth Bettenhausen

This is class 3 in the MOOC specialization, Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent.

This class looks at the big issues companies are fixing - climate change, water, worker satisfaction and supply chain issues.

This is class 3 in the MOOC specialization, Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent.

This class looks at the big issues companies are fixing - climate change, water, worker satisfaction and supply chain issues.

You will learn tools to help your company address these issues intelligently.

The class ends with an assignment to set a science-based carbon reduction target for a small company. Tis is absolutely cutting edge material. Only about 300 companies in the whole world are doing this as of July 2017. You could put your company in the elite group!

With the knowledge and tools you have acquired from the 3 classes in this specialization you are well on your way to making a difference in your company, and making the future brighter for everyone.

Thank you for being part of this program!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Climate and Carbon Footprinting

Context-Based Sustainability and Science-Based Targets

Water and Energy

Workplace and Community Issues

Supply Chain Impacts - An Introduction

Peer Reviewed Science-Based Target Assignment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes organizational sustainability, equipping learners to address climate change and other environmental issues within their companies

Provides hands-on experience through an assignment that involves setting a science-based carbon reduction target for a small company

Led by recognized subject matter experts, John Byrd and Kenneth Bettenhausen, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content

Part of a specialization, offering a comprehensive learning path in sustainable business transformation

Focuses on cutting-edge topics like science-based carbon reduction targets, making the course relevant to industry practices

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Reviews summary

Excellent sustainable business exploration

Learners largely praise this course about sustainable business, saying that it was thorough, detailed, and featured real-world case studies. These qualities are especially appealing to those new to sustainability topics or seasoned professionals who want to sharpen their skills. Students say the instructor was engaging and made the concepts relatable.

Good for beginners and professionals

"A perfect course for those who are just getting into these topics."

"I am a sustainability senior professional and i can assure this course is so up to date and practical."

Thorough, engaging, relatable

"I’ve found very useful this course, it gives you the method to apply the context-based sustainability to climate change."

"this course was one of the easiest to listen to lectures."

"I loved the practical approach of the course."

Needs improvement in explanation

""Only" 4 stars because of the last portion: the Science Based Target Initiative is not explained as pedagogically as we are used to"

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 Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes with these activities:

Compile Course Materials

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Reinforces learning by organizing and reviewing course content.

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Download and organize all course materials.
Review the materials regularly.
Create a study guide or summary of the key concepts.

Practice Carbon Footprint Calculation

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Improves your understanding of how to calculate your company's carbon footprint.

Browse courses on Carbon Footprint

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Use an online carbon footprint calculator to calculate your company's footprint.
Identify three ways to reduce your company's carbon footprint.

Read: Measuring the Real Success of Sustainable Business

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Provides a comprehensive guide to measuring your company's sustainability progress.

View The New Sustainability Advantage: Seven... on Amazon

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Read the book's introduction and first three chapters.
Identify three key takeaways from the book.
Discuss the book with a colleague or mentor.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Network with Sustainability Professionals

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Connects you with professionals who can provide insights and support.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Attend industry events and conferences.
Join professional organizations related to sustainability.
Reach out to sustainability professionals on LinkedIn.

Develop a Sustainability Communication Plan

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Helps you develop a plan for communicating your company's sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.

Browse courses on Sustainability Communication

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Identify your company's key sustainability stakeholders.
Develop key messages for each stakeholder group.
Create a communication plan that outlines how you will reach each stakeholder group.

Attend a Sustainability Workshop

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Provides an opportunity to learn from experts and network with other professionals.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Research and identify a sustainability workshop that aligns with your interests.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.

Complete a Science-Based Target Assessment

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Helps you understand your company's greenhouse gas emissions and set targets for reduction.

Browse courses on Science-Based Targets

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Gather data on your company's energy use, emissions, and waste generation.
Use the Science Based Targets website to calculate your company's emissions and set reduction targets.
Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their environmental and social performance. This course can help build a foundation for a career in sustainability consulting by providing an overview of the major issues that companies are facing, such as climate change, water scarcity, and supply chain sustainability. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and implementing sustainability strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists conduct research and develop solutions to environmental problems. This course can help build a foundation for a career in environmental science by providing an overview of the major environmental issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for conducting environmental research and developing evidence-based solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Corporate Sustainability Manager

Corporate Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for their organizations. This course can help build a foundation for a career in corporate sustainability by providing an overview of the major sustainability issues that companies are facing. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and implementing sustainability strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts analyze environmental and social data to help organizations make informed decisions about their sustainability performance. This course can help build a foundation for a career in sustainability analysis by providing an overview of the major sustainability issues that companies are facing. The course also provides tools and frameworks for analyzing sustainability data and developing evidence-based recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

ESG Analyst

ESG Analysts analyze environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data to help investors make informed decisions about their investments. This course can help build a foundation for a career in ESG analysis by providing an overview of the major ESG issues that companies are facing. The course also provides tools and frameworks for analyzing ESG data and developing evidence-based recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst

Climate Change Specialist

Climate Change Specialists develop and implement strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This course can help build a foundation for a career in climate change by providing an overview of the science of climate change and the major impacts that it is having on the world. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and implementing climate change strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Specialist

Water Resources Manager

Water Resources Managers develop and implement strategies to manage water resources sustainably. This course can help build a foundation for a career in water resources management by providing an overview of the major water resources issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and implementing water resources management strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for managing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. This course can help build a foundation for a career in supply chain management by providing an overview of the major supply chain issues that companies are facing. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and implementing supply chain strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in environmental law by providing an overview of the major environmental issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for understanding environmental law and developing legal strategies to protect the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in environmental engineering by providing an overview of the major environmental issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for designing and implementing environmental engineering solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Public Policy Analyst

Public Policy Analysts develop and analyze public policies. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in public policy analysis by providing an overview of the major public policy issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and analyzing public policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers lead nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in nonprofit management by providing an overview of the major issues facing nonprofit organizations. The course also provides tools and frameworks for managing nonprofit organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs develop and implement solutions to social problems. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in social entrepreneurship by providing an overview of the major social issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for developing and implementing social entrepreneurship solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Educators teach about sustainability. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in sustainability education by providing an overview of the major sustainability issues facing the world today. The course also provides tools and frameworks for teaching about sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Educator

Sustainable Business Consultant

Sustainable Business Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their sustainability performance. This course may be useful for building a foundation for a career in sustainable business consulting by providing an overview of the major sustainability issues that businesses are facing. The course also provides tools and frameworks for advising businesses on how to improve their sustainability performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Business Consultant

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes.

The New Sustainability Advantage

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Provides a business case for sustainability. It useful resource for businesses looking to make the case for sustainability to their stakeholders.

The New Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business...

Paperback

The New Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business...

Kindle Edition

Cradle to cradle : remaking the way we make things

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Introduces the concept of cradle-to-cradle design, which way of designing products and materials to be sustainable throughout their entire life cycle.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

Paperback

(Deutsch) Cradle to Cradle: Einfach intelligent produzieren...

Kindle Edition

The Upcycle

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Builds on the concept of cradle-to-cradle design and provides a framework for businesses to design for abundance.

Natural Capitalism

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Argues that businesses can achieve both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. It useful resource for businesses looking to develop a sustainable business model.

The Blue Economy

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Introduces the concept of the blue economy, which way of thinking about economic development that is based on the principles of sustainability.

The Blue Economy 3.0: The marriage of science,...

Paperback

Blue Economy-10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million...

Paperback

The Blue Economy: 200 Projects Implemented US$ 4...

Hardcover

(Italiano) Blue economy 2.0. 200 progetti implementati, 4...

The Blue Economy/version 2.0: 200 Projects...

Hardcover

$$$

The Blue Economy 3.0: The Marriage of Science,...

Kindle Edition

The Wonderful Circles of Oz

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the circular economy, which way of thinking about economic development that is based on the principles of sustainability.

The Wonderful Circles of Oz

Paperback

The Wonderful Circles of Oz: A Circular Economy...

Kindle Edition