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Economist Education
Climate Change and Business: Sustainability, Risk and the Push for Net Zero
Navigate the challenges posed by climate change to your business.
Starting soon
08 May 2024
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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 estimated increase in capital spending needed to reach net-zero emissions in the next 30 years
McKinsey (March, 2022).
The proportion of people who believe climate change poses a major risk to their business.
World Economic Forum (February, 2022).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As the impacts of climate change become clearer, companies are recognising the need to build resilience to the risks it creates. To achieve this, organisations require professionals with the skills to navigate complex concepts such as greenwashing, sustainability, net zero and circularity.
Economist Education’s online course, Climate Change and Business: Sustainability, Risk and the Push for Net Zero, provides you with the knowledge and tools to develop effective, climate-conscious strategies. Using real-world case studies, you will examine social and environmental issues affecting businesses, and explore the science and economics of climate change. Industry leaders will guide you in analysing the pitfalls and opportunities involved in creating a corporate decarbonisation strategy while also reflecting on the considerations and limitations of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. Upon completion, you will be able to make informed decisions regarding climate change, and possess a practical understanding of the tools used to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions.
Is this course for you?
The course is tailored to meet the needs of senior executives across a range of roles and sectors aiming to grasp climate change’s impacts for their business. They will also learn how to implement a carbon-management approach. This course is suitable, too, for professionals in “green-collar” positions who want to enhance their ability to implement climate action plans at their organisations.
This 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 50 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. Economist Education and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As the impacts of climate change become clearer, companies are recognising the need to build resilience to the risks it creates. To achieve this, organisations require professionals with the skills to navigate complex concepts such as greenwashing, sustainability, net zero and circularity.
Economist Education’s online course, Climate Change and Business: Sustainability, Risk and the Push for Net Zero, provides you with the knowledge and tools to develop effective, climate-conscious strategies. Using real-world case studies, you will examine social and environmental issues affecting businesses, and explore the science and economics of climate change. Industry leaders will guide you in analysing the pitfalls and opportunities involved in creating a corporate decarbonisation strategy while also reflecting on the considerations and limitations of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. Upon completion, you will be able to make informed decisions regarding climate change, and possess a practical understanding of the tools used to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions.
Is this course for you?
The course is tailored to meet the needs of senior executives across a range of roles and sectors aiming to grasp climate change’s impacts for their business. They will also learn how to implement a carbon-management approach. This course is suitable, too, for professionals in “green-collar” positions who want to enhance their ability to implement climate action plans at their organisations.
This 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 50 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. Economist Education and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
What will set you apart
Expert insight into climate science, climate economics and climate risks to adequately prepare your business. 
A guide on how—and how not—to implement ESG and decarbonisation strategies for your business.
An understanding of the tools available to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions.
Detailed knowledge of climate disclosure in business and the practicalities of determining and disclosing your organisation’s carbon footprint. 
Unlimited access to the official Economist Education alumni group on LinkedIn and edX’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
Should businesses care about people and the planet?
Module 2
Climate science and economics: the cost of action and inaction
Module 3
Risky business: what’s at stake for companies?
Module 4
How (not) to craft a decarbonisation strategy
Module 5
What to make of ESG investing?
Module 6
How to climate-proof your company
Get more information
Course founders
Martin Adams
Executive editor, Economist Education
Jan Piotrowski
Business editor, The Economist
About the certificate
Learn how to craft and implement a corporate decarbonisation strategy and earn an official certificate of completion from Economist Education.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your 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.
Get more information
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
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.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
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.
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, 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.
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.
