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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Overview

Innovation is needed to create business value in line with a positive direction for society and the environment, and this
brings opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to create innovative solutions and new sustainable business models. 

This self-paced online course has been developed with the team behind the CANOPY, CISL’s international community of sustainability innovators and entrepreneurs. This collaboration means we have created a unique course which draws on our
real-world experience from supporting both major businesses
and entrepreneurs around the world to harness sustainability innovation and scale their innovations.

The course shares these insights, along with frameworks to
help you and your business integrate sustainability into your innovation strategy. The critical skillset you will gain will support your growth and professional development, equipping you to become an effective leader of sustainability-led innovation and positive change. Your business will gain competitive advantage through building an innovation pipeline informed by global
trends and a positive direction for all stakeholders in society.

Language

English

Format

Online, asynchronous

Learning time

Self-paced, typically 6-8 hours

Cost

£139 + VAT*, discount available for bulk purchase

*Education exceptions apply

Materials & equipment

  1. sufficient internet speed and stability for video streaming (2 Mbps up/down)
  2. a compatible web browser

Assessments & retakes

The course is assessed through in-learning quizzes and an end-of-course survey. Learners can retake all assessments as required throughout the 12-month licence period.

Course access

Learners have access to the course for 12 months from the date of purchase.

 

 

I am an individual

If you are looking to book for yourself or
up to five learners on Sustainability Innovation Strategy for Businesses and Entrepreneurs.

I am an organisation

If you are a group or organisation looking
to book more than five learners on Sustainability Innovation Strategy for Businesses and Entrepreneurs.

 

I want more information

Find out more about how we support organisational transformation through digital learning.

 

 

 

Who is this course for?


The knowledge and skills this course develops will benefit a wide range of entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and businesses across industries, geographic regions and roles. It is ideal for:

  • Intrapreneurs or entrepreneurs who may come from small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, scaleups, large corporations, the public sector, non-governmental organisations or investors.
  • Individuals working in a variety of roles including chief innovation officer, chief sustainability officer, learning and development, research and development, supply chain, procurement and strategy.
  • Individuals with up to 10 years of work experience with an interest in gaining a broad understanding of sustainability innovation strategy.

 

What will I learn from the course?


Your learning begins with building your understanding of the imperative for sustainability-led innovation, applying systems thinking tools to map complex problems and generate innovative solutions. Case studies and reflective questions bring concepts to life, advancing your understanding. By the end of the course, you will have gained the mindset and tools to help you through the process, challenges and opportunities of building sustainability-focused ventures – from influencing decision makers and investors, to taking a systematic approach to design and implementation.  You leave with a personal action plan to drive sustainability innovation within your organisation.

Progressing through 5 modules, delivered by sustainability innovation experts, this course enables you to:

  • Understand the key concepts and principles of sustainability innovation and its role in addressing global challenges and rewiring the economy.
  • Analyse these challenges through a systems thinking lens, identifying leverage points for intervention and creation of innovative solutions.   
  • Identify opportunities for innovation that address sustainability challenges and create positive impact, analysing market trends, consumer needs, the role of stakeholders and the emerging technologies shaping the future of sustainability.
  • Apply a systematic approach to designing and implementing sustainability solutions.
  • Discover the value of measuring sustainability performance and the role of communication and gain tools for impact assessment and reporting.

 

Key modules

This course supports professional and personal development, equipping you with a critical skillset to become an effective
leader of sustainability-led innovation, across 5 core modules:

  1. The case for sustainability innovation
  2. Applying systems thinking to enable innovation   
  3. Sustainability innovation opportunities: trends, stakeholders and emerging technologies       
  4. Designing and implementing sustainability solutions
  5. Sustainability innovation impact: measurement, reporting
    and communication   

Learning Experience

You can complete the 6-8 hours of learning that make up the course in your own time, progressing through modules which contain videos, case studies, notes, exercises, quizzes and self-assessments. Benefits of the self-paced online course include: 

  1. Access to course content for 12-months, allowing you to revisit the learning even once your course is complete – whenever you need it.
  2. Flexible learning throughout the year, with recommended reading and optional content available to supplement your learning. 
  3. Development of a Personal Action Plan to drive sustainability innovation within your organisation.
  4. Award of a digital badge from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, upon successful completion of the course.

 

 

Meet your course creators


The experience of the CANOPY team who created Sustainability Innovation Strategy for Businesses and Entrepreneurs has been acquired from a range of industries, harnessing CISL’s cross-sector expertise.

James Cole, Chief Innovation Officer, CISL

James has spent over 15 years working at the intersection of business, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of CISL’s senior leadership team he works across business policy and finance initiatives building the capacity of leaders, and leading institutions, to drive systemic change for global sustainability. In 2022 he launched The Canopy - CISL’s incubator, accelerator and workspace in central Cambridge, to activate an international community of impact-led startups, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators.

 

Sam Laakkonen, Senior Director Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship, CISL

Sam has been actively involved in the technology innovation ecosystem for over 20 years. He has been an early employee in unicorns like Spotify, privately invested in 25+ impact startups, had 3 exits from his own ventures, helped 250+ startups accelerate growth, and worked as a jury member for the European Commission to distribute EUR100M+ in EIC equity and grant funding. He has participated in building and running 30+ incubators and accelerators around the world, including 10+ Techstars programmes.

 

Jie Zhou, Head of International Engagement, CANOPY, CISL

A circular economy expert with a systems-thinking mindset, Jie Zhou brings 15+ years of experience driving sustainability across industries. Her interdisciplinary and international background, including three master's degrees, allows her to connect the dots between global challenges and empower organisations & startups to create a sustainable future.

 

Viola Jardon, Director of Innovation Programmes, CISL

Viola Jardon is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in tech and supporting sustainability-driven startups and innovators. She works closely with early-stage ventures, investors, and corporates to accelerate sustainability innovation and create impactful partnerships. Her extensive experience in fostering partnerships and scaling initiatives has made her a key figure in driving sustainability innovation forward.

 

Håkan Nordkvist, CEO Net Zero Company and Advisory Board Member, CANOPY, CISL

Håkan is a recognised expert in corporate innovation with a focus on sustainability, spending 11 years as head of sustainability innovation at IKEA. He has innovated new businesses for IKEA, founded innovation platforms and led startups in the sustainability space to create a more sustainable future.

 

 

 

 

CPD certified


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 8 hours of learning.

Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon you. CISL and University of Cambridge Online accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

 

 

Ready for your next steps


To book up to 5 learners onto the course

To speak to a member of the CISL team about upskilling your organisation 

Find out more about how we support organisational transformation. 

 

We work with organisations looking to develop core sustainability skills within their teams, unlocking innovation, and supporting their existing and future business challenges. Get in touch with the team to find out how we can help.

Submit an enquiry

CISL’s self-paced online courses are delivered in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Online, a digital education provider. The FAQ button will take you to their website.

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