First Steps in Making the Business Case for Sustainability from Coursera

After completing the specialization, you will be able to:

* Discuss the threats and opportunities that major global trends such as climate change present to businesses;

* Identify ways a company can improve its environmental and social performance;

* Evaluate and compare companies’ sustainability activities and products;

* Develop a business case for implementing sustainability investments;

* Identify key criteria of green businesses and product design;

* Be a change agent in your organization;

* Understand emerging topics in sustainable business, including those in the public policy space.

We're very excited about offering this MOOC specialization and hope it gives you the first step toward learning about and taking action to make the places you work and the products you buy more sustainable.

Sustainable business changes daily with new products, innovations and ideas, so you will be important in keeping the class current. We look forward to learning from you as you take this green journey!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Change and Change Agents

Welcome to the first class of Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent. This week we introduce you to several people who are making changes and talk about the class and the entire specialization. We also begin to think about what type of changes you should look for at the start of your change agent career. Finally, we discuss what a good proposal has to do to be approved. The proposal has to convince decision-makers that your change helps the company or organization. So you need to make sure that the right people support your idea, that the right person receives it and that you have made a sound case for the sustainability change you are proposing. During the next classes we will help you learn the tools to put together a powerful proposal and to identify the key people who will influence your idea being implemented. We hope by the end of this specialization you will have a proposal for a change in your company, or have the tools so when that opportunity arises you can be an agent of positive change.

Finding a good first project

This week we discuss what you should be trying to accomplish with your first sustainability change project and give you some ideas of the types of projects that are likely to be successful. We also introduce the notion of establishing a baseline so you can measure the effect of your change.

Financial Analysis for the Business Case

An important aspect of making the business case of change is to show the likely financial impact of the change. Ideally, we will find improvements that increase profits either by saving the company money or by increasing sales. To demonstrate these financial benefits we use a standard tool from financial analysis - Net Present Value analysis (NPV). The idea underlying Net Present Value analysis is that we estimate all the cash inflows and outlays associated with a project, then through a technique called discounting (or computing the present value) we shift all the cash flows into the present so they can be compared. You cannot compare an outlay made to day directly to a cash flow or profit to be received in two or three years. Combining the present value of the cash flows - adding the present value of benefits and subtracting the present value of outlays - gives us the Net Present Value. If the NPV is positive the benefits, adjusted for time, more than offset the costs and the project enhances the value of the company. If the NPV is negative then the monetary benefits do not more than offset the costs. But there may be non-monetary reasons for pursuing the project. This is where we begin to consider the reasons for companies becoming sustainable discussed in Week 2 of this module. The business case includes the financial impact and non-monetary sustainability impacts of the change.

Starting to Make the Business Case for Sustainability

In this module we cover two topics: The benefits for companies of being sustainable and aspects of our economic system that prevent/discourage companies form being more sustainable. The goal of the module is to give you the first tools for making the business case for sustainability. The benefits of sustainability will be important as you put together your proposal for change. If you work in the sustainable business arena very long you will need to know some of the vocabulary and economics that cause some of our environmental and social problems. These are market failures. We'll introduce three: externalities, common access resource problems and information failures.

Sustainable Thinking

The Business School at the University of Colorado Denver wants to help you become a change agent for sustainable business. We hope that with the skills and concepts you gain from this specialization that you will help your business reduce its social and environmental impact. Being a change agent is hard. It takes courage and passion and knowledge. To implement change also requires being able to make the case for that change in terms that people in your company or organization respond to and understand. We begin our journey to being a change agent by introducing sustainability thinking. Sustainable business requires a new way of seeing and thinking about how business operates. By beginning to think sustainably you will be better able to identify ways that your company can improve and explain those changes to decision makers. We will look at 6 ways of thinking related to sustainability: • Life-Cycle Thinking • Long-Term Thinking • Circular Thinking • Resilience Thinking • Systems Thinking • Context Thinking

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in sustainable business, including the threats and opportunities it faces

Teaches how to evaluate and compare companies' sustainability activities and products

Develops skills for making the business case for sustainability investments

Covers unique perspectives and ideas that may enhance understanding of sustainability

Uses a standard tool from financial analysis to demonstrate financial impact of sustainability changes

Provides some real-world examples of change agents for sustainability

Reviews summary

Sustainability business case basics

Learners say this course by the University of Michigan provides a solid foundation in building a business case for sustainability through a combination of well-explained concepts, practical assignments, and real-world examples. They appreciate the clear instruction from the engaging professor, John Byrd. Learners note that while the course is a great starting point, it does have some minor issues such as occasional errors and quiz display problems. Overall, learners recommend this course to those new to sustainability or those looking to enhance their understanding of the business side of sustainability. The course is described as easy to follow, practical, and informative.

Provides a strong introduction to building a business case for sustainability.

"Learners say this course by the University of Michigan provides a solid foundation in building a business case for sustainability through a combination of well-explained concepts, practical assignments, and real-world examples."

"Overall, learners recommend this course to those new to sustainability or those looking to enhance their understanding of the business side of sustainability."

Concepts are explained clearly and engagingly.

"They appreciate the clear instruction from the engaging professor, John Byrd."

Assignments are relevant and help apply concepts to real-world scenarios.

"Learners note that while the course is a great starting point, it does have some minor issues such as occasional errors and quiz display problems."

There are occasional errors in the course materials.

"Learners note that while the course is a great starting point, it does have some minor issues such as occasional errors and quiz display problems."

Some learners have experienced problems with the display of quizzes.

"Learners note that while the course is a great starting point, it does have some minor issues such as occasional errors and quiz display problems."

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 First Steps in Making the Business Case for Sustainability with these activities:

Review the basics of sustainability

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Reinforce foundational understanding of sustainability concepts to ensure a solid foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Revisit the definitions and principles of sustainability.
Recall the triple bottom line (TBL) framework and its components.
Review examples of sustainable practices in various industries.

Solve case studies on sustainability challenges

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Provide hands-on opportunities to apply knowledge and develop decision-making skills in real-world sustainability scenarios.

Browse courses on Case study

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Access online case studies on sustainability challenges.
Analyze the case studies and identify key issues and stakeholders.
Develop and evaluate potential solutions to the sustainability challenges.

Attend industry events on sustainable business

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Facilitate networking and knowledge sharing with professionals in the field, fostering a deeper understanding of industry trends and best practices.

Browse courses on Networking

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Identify upcoming industry events focused on sustainable business.
Attend the events and actively participate in discussions and Q&A sessions.
Connect with sustainability professionals and exchange insights.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Participate in workshops on sustainable business practices

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Provide immersive and hands-on learning experiences, allowing students to develop practical skills and knowledge in specific aspects of sustainable business.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Research and identify workshops on sustainable business practices.
Register for and attend the workshops.
Engage actively in the workshop activities and discussions.

Analyze a Sustainable Business

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Examine a real-world company's sustainability practices to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Browse courses on Corporate Sustainability

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Select a company to analyze
Gather data on the company's environmental, social, and governance performance.
Assess the company's sustainability strengths and weaknesses.
Develop recommendations for how the company can improve its sustainability performance.

Explore TED Talks on sustainable business

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Provide real-world examples and insights from experts to enhance comprehension of sustainability in practice.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Search for TED Talks on sustainable business.
Watch selected TED Talks and take notes on key concepts and solutions.
Discuss the ideas presented in the TED Talks with classmates or colleagues.

Compile a resource list on sustainable business

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Promote self-directed learning and foster a deeper understanding of sustainability by providing access to a curated collection of relevant resources.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Identify and collect articles, books, websites, and other resources on sustainable business.
Organize and categorize the resources based on topic or theme.
Share the resource list with classmates or colleagues.

Develop a case study on a sustainable business initiative

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Apply course concepts to a practical scenario, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of sustainability.

Browse courses on Case study

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Identify a specific sustainable business initiative to analyze.
Research the initiative and gather relevant data.
Analyze the initiative's impact on environmental, social, and economic factors.
Write a comprehensive report outlining the case study and your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete First Steps in Making the Business Case for Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers use their understanding of sustainability to improve environmental performance and reduce waste for organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course can help Sustainability Managers enhance their knowledge of sustainable practices, develop a business case for sustainability, and communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers. It can also help them stay up-to-date on emerging trends in sustainable business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and develop solutions to environmental problems. They may work in research, consulting, or government. This course can help Environmental Scientists understand the business case for sustainability, which can be helpful when working with businesses to develop and implement environmental solutions. It can also help them communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers are responsible for developing and implementing CSR strategies for organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course can help CSR Managers develop a business case for sustainability, communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers, and stay up-to-date on emerging trends in sustainable business.

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

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations improve their environmental and social performance. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course can help Sustainability Consultants develop a business case for sustainability, communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers, and stay up-to-date on emerging trends in sustainable business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Product Sustainability Manager

Product Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for products. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, retail, or consulting. This course can help Product Sustainability Managers understand the business case for sustainability, develop a business case for sustainable products, and communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts analyze the environmental and social performance of organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as finance, consulting, or government. This course can help Sustainability Analysts understand the business case for sustainability, develop a business case for sustainable investments, and communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course may be useful for Environmental Engineers who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Climate Change Analyst

Climate Change Analysts study the impacts of climate change and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as government, consulting, or research. This course may be useful for Climate Change Analysts who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Energy Manager

Energy Managers are responsible for developing and implementing energy efficiency strategies for organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course may be useful for Energy Managers who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Educators teach about sustainability to students of all ages. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, universities, or museums. This course may be useful for Sustainability Educators who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Sustainability Writer

Sustainability Writers write about sustainability for a variety of audiences. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications. This course may be useful for Sustainability Writers who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Sustainability Researcher

Sustainability Researchers study sustainability issues and develop solutions. They may work in a variety of settings, such as universities, research institutes, or non-profit organizations. This course may be useful for Sustainability Researchers who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Sustainability Strategist

Sustainability Strategists develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course may be useful for Sustainability Strategists who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Sustainability Director

Sustainability Directors are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course may be useful for Sustainability Directors who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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Sustainability Coordinator

Sustainability Coordinators are responsible for implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They may work in a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, or consulting. This course may be useful for Sustainability Coordinators who want to learn more about the business case for sustainability and how to communicate the benefits of sustainability to decision-makers.

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