MIT Sloan School of Management
Business Sustainability Strategy: Technology and Management
Enhance your ability to navigate intricate sustainability issues, and design a roadmap for implementing sustainable business practices that drive positive change.
Start date
23 July 2025
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Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
6–8 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The percentage of targets underpinning the UN Sustainable Development Goals that could be enabled by existing Fourth Industrial Revolution technology innovations.
World Economic Forum (Jan, 2020).
The estimated rewards for investors and businesses who invest in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
PwC (Apr, 2019).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As environmental regulations and consumer and stakeholder concerns continue to rise, sustainability has become a critical focus for businesses. However, companies still need to remain profitable to ensure a successful future. Leaders must be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges inherent in balancing sustainability and profitability.
The online short course, Business Sustainability Strategy: Technology and Management, offers an in-depth exploration of this topic. Developed by the esteemed faculty at the MIT Sloan School of Management, along with guest experts, the course teaches innovative approaches and behavioral changes to pursue sustainability goals. The PROMISE framework is used to analyze business choices and sustainability goals comprehensively, focusing on addressing prominent sustainability concerns, such as climate change, dematerialization, and market failures.
Upon completion of the six-week course, participants will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to engage others in developing sustainable business practices, and drive long-lasting change within their organizations and beyond.
Is this course for you?
This comprehensive six-week program equips business leaders and decision makers with the tools to effectively manage and lead sustainable initiatives in their organizations. Participants will gain valuable skills to ensure their business practices align with sustainability goals and ethical standards while meeting organizational objectives. This program is ideal for professionals involved in the day-to-day operations, who aspire to move into leadership positions and drive new strategies and company-wide policies. Moreover, individuals with environmental expertise will have the opportunity to learn how to align their practice with the business world and promote the value of sustainability in the marketplace.
Course overview
Course overview
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As environmental regulations and consumer and stakeholder concerns continue to rise, sustainability has become a critical focus for businesses. However, companies still need to remain profitable to ensure a successful future. Leaders must be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges inherent in balancing sustainability and profitability.
The online short course, Business Sustainability Strategy: Technology and Management, offers an in-depth exploration of this topic. Developed by the esteemed faculty at the MIT Sloan School of Management, along with guest experts, the course teaches innovative approaches and behavioral changes to pursue sustainability goals. The PROMISE framework is used to analyze business choices and sustainability goals comprehensively, focusing on addressing prominent sustainability concerns, such as climate change, dematerialization, and market failures.
Upon completion of the six-week course, participants will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to engage others in developing sustainable business practices, and drive long-lasting change within their organizations and beyond.
Is this course for you?
This comprehensive six-week program equips business leaders and decision makers with the tools to effectively manage and lead sustainable initiatives in their organizations. Participants will gain valuable skills to ensure their business practices align with sustainability goals and ethical standards while meeting organizational objectives. This program is ideal for professionals involved in the day-to-day operations, who aspire to move into leadership positions and drive new strategies and company-wide policies. Moreover, individuals with environmental expertise will have the opportunity to learn how to align their practice with the business world and promote the value of sustainability in the marketplace.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
The skills to navigate complex sustainability issues, with insight from the holistic PROMISE framework that examines the impact of sustainability goals and choices.
A strategy for engaging stakeholders in sustainability challenges and motivating for positive, long-lasting change in your organization.
Insights from MIT faculty and guest experts on sustainability challenges within businesses, and an understanding of how technology can drive sustainability solutions. 
The ability to navigate the tension between implementing business sustainability initiatives and increasing financial performance.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
World challenges: Environment, inequality, poverty, and social well-being
Module 2
The standard playbook: Managing for sustainability
Module 3
The PROMISE framework: Tensions, trade-offs, and impact
Module 4
Next-generation strategies for sustainability: Technology and innovation
Module 5
Market failures and institutions: Changing the rules of the game
Module 6
Management for the 21st century: Agents of change
Faculty Directors
Roberto Rigobon
Society of Sloan Fellows Professor of Management and Professor of Applied Economics, MIT Sloan School of Management
Jason Jay
Senior Lecturer and Director, Sustainability Initiative, MIT Sloan School of Management
Earn a digital certificate of completion from MIT Sloan
Gain the expertise to integrate sustainability strategies into your organization and earn an official digital certificate of completion from MIT Sloan.
This program also counts toward an MIT Sloan Executive Certificate, which you can earn upon completion of four programs where at least three of the four come from your chosen certificate track and at least one is completed in person. Find full details 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.
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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 visit your Account page here.
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