The London School of Economics and Political Science
Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society
Explore an integrated, social-sciences approach to sustainability strategy, equipping you to develop practical strategies for a greener future.
Starting soon
Start date
15 May 2024
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
4–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The share of global executives who agree that immediate action can limit the worst impacts of climate change and move the world toward an improved future.
Deloitte (2021).
The number of jobs in the UK that are likely to be affected by the transition to a green economy – around one in five.
LSE (Mar, 2021).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In a matter of years, sustainability has shot to the top of the corporate priority list. However, this growing acknowledgement of sustainability’s urgency has not always been supported by a deeper grasp of what it means or how it can be achieved. In the face of a rapidly changing climate and escalating pressure from all quarters, sustainability can no longer be viewed as a narrow box-ticking exercise. It demands a holistic understanding of the concepts underpinning it and a broad view of the politics, economics, and social factors that impact it.
The Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) equips you with an integrated perspective of sustainability through a social-science lens. Over six weeks, you’ll examine prevailing theoretical concepts in this space, and practically apply your learnings across a number of real-world scenarios. Guided by leading LSE academics, you’ll investigate the multidimensional nature of sustainability today, exploring key areas such as sustainability transitions, sustainable economics, and social development. You’ll also discover ways to navigate climate risk and preserve natural capital, all while developing strategies for financially viable sustainability in your own business context. At the end of the course, you’ll have gained a toolkit for incorporating sustainability into your current or future role, and the knowledge needed to lead your organisation towards a greener tomorrow.
This Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
By breaking sustainability concepts down into digestible insights, this course offers participants of all professions and experience levels the tools needed to contribute to circular economy development. Executives, directors, and managers will benefit from its in-depth examination of sustainability strategy from a business perspective, while investors and finance professionals will gain the knowledge to identify and utilise socially responsible investments. Individuals who operate in the public sector – including government employees, policymakers, and nonprofit workers – will develop their understanding of how social development and sustainability interact, and learn to lead cross-sector initiatives. Risk managers and compliance officers will enhance their ability to identify and navigate climate-related challenges, and environmental specialists or programme consultants will develop the vocabulary to link sustainability value to the business world. Anyone anticipating that sustainability will become a daily consideration in their work will gain the skills to ‘hybridise’ their role and participate ably in the green economy of the future.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In a matter of years, sustainability has shot to the top of the corporate priority list. However, this growing acknowledgement of sustainability’s urgency has not always been supported by a deeper grasp of what it means or how it can be achieved. In the face of a rapidly changing climate and escalating pressure from all quarters, sustainability can no longer be viewed as a narrow box-ticking exercise. It demands a holistic understanding of the concepts underpinning it and a broad view of the politics, economics, and social factors that impact it.
The Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) equips you with an integrated perspective of sustainability through a social-science lens. Over six weeks, you’ll examine prevailing theoretical concepts in this space, and practically apply your learnings across a number of real-world scenarios. Guided by leading LSE academics, you’ll investigate the multidimensional nature of sustainability today, exploring key areas such as sustainability transitions, sustainable economics, and social development. You’ll also discover ways to navigate climate risk and preserve natural capital, all while developing strategies for financially viable sustainability in your own business context. At the end of the course, you’ll have gained a toolkit for incorporating sustainability into your current or future role, and the knowledge needed to lead your organisation towards a greener tomorrow.
This Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
By breaking sustainability concepts down into digestible insights, this course offers participants of all professions and experience levels the tools needed to contribute to circular economy development. Executives, directors, and managers will benefit from its in-depth examination of sustainability strategy from a business perspective, while investors and finance professionals will gain the knowledge to identify and utilise socially responsible investments. Individuals who operate in the public sector – including government employees, policymakers, and nonprofit workers – will develop their understanding of how social development and sustainability interact, and learn to lead cross-sector initiatives. Risk managers and compliance officers will enhance their ability to identify and navigate climate-related challenges, and environmental specialists or programme consultants will develop the vocabulary to link sustainability value to the business world. Anyone anticipating that sustainability will become a daily consideration in their work will gain the skills to ‘hybridise’ their role and participate ably in the green economy of the future.
What will set you apart
An integrated, social-sciences perspective on important concepts in sustainability, backed by the latest academic research.
Practical strategies for applying sustainability in your organisation and successfully leading the transition to a greener future.
An enhanced ability to manage climate-related risk, preserve natural capital, and make sustainability a part of financial or developmental agendas.
The confidence and skills to pivot into a role that actively partakes in cultivating the green economy and giving back to society.
Unlimited access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Understanding sustainability transitions
Module 2
Sustainability, wealth, and natural capital
Module 3
The relationship between economic growth and sustainability
Module 4
What is development?
Module 5
Climate-related risk in an interconnected world
Module 6
Corporate and financial sustainability
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Course Convenors
Who you'll learn from
Professor Declan Conway
Interim Deputy Director and Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE
Dr Marion Dumas
Assistant Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE
Professor Giles Atkinson
Professor of Environmental Policy and Deputy Head of Department (Education and Teaching), Department of Geography and Environment, LSE
Dr Richard Perkins
Associate Professor of Environmental Geography, Department of Geography and Environment, LSE
About the certificate
Discover how to effectively incorporate sustainability into your organisation and role, enabling you to make positive environmental and social impacts, and earn an official certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
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Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
