Sustainability Leadership Executive Programme
The 27-week, cohort-based online sustainability course prepares experienced professionals to navigate the intersections of business, leadership and climate change.
As you examine real-world case studies, complete hands-on assignments, and collaborate with tutors and peers, you’ll cultivate the systems-thinking mindset to drive sustainable transformation and maximise executive impact.
Course start date
- 3 June 2026
- 2 Sep 2026
Format
- Online
Length
- 27 weeks (+1 week orientation) 6-10 hours/week
CPD
- Approximately 260 learning hours
Turn sustainability into a competitive advantage
This programme is designed for senior executives, sustainability decision-makers and other experienced professionals. It combines three exceptional CISL courses in sustainability and leadership to create an industry-relevant learning experience. That means you can expect to:
- Learn how to design resilient, low-carbon business models, surmount climate-related operational barriers and create a sustainability action plan tailored to your organisation.
- Attend live sessions led by CISL Course Convenors, share knowledge with peers who share your commitment to sustainability and, upon successful completion, join a global network of more than 40,000 CISL alumni.
- Become a more strategic and self-aware leader, and learn how to leverage your personal strengths in the face of evolving sustainability demands.
Master sustainability leadership and drive organisational transformation from strategy to net zero
Section 1: Business Sustainability Management
Module 1: System forces and sustainability challenges shaping business today
Module 2: Business, purpose and leadership for a sustainable future
Module 3: Navigating the regulatory and policy environment
Module 4: Rethinking production and consumption
Module 5: Reimagining business through design, technology and innovation
Module 6: Stakeholder engagement and communication
Module 7: Individual and collective leadership for change
Module 8: Planning for personal impact
Section 2: Business and Climate Change: Towards Net Zero Emissions
Module 1: A changing climate for business
Module 2: The vision of a net zero future
Module 3: Planning the transition to net zero
Module 4: Collaborating and leading a net zero transition
Module 5: Decarbonisation success stories
Module 6: Innovation and design for a net zero 21st century
Module 7: Leading change and coping with disruption
Module 8: Your role in leading the transition
Section 3: Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership
Module 1: High impact leadership and its importance
Module 2: Exploring the context for leadership and the related challenges
Module 3: What does high impact leadership look like?
Module 4: The future we want, the leadership we need
Module 5: High impact leadership capabilities
Module 6: Communicating for influence
Module 7: Developing the mindset and skills for innovation
Module 8: Rewiring your leadership to achieve your goal
Lead with impact in a rapidly changing sustainability landscape
Our premium online learning experience includes:
- An engaging cohort-based format that inspires continuous collaboration and networking with likeminded professionals from around the world.
- Optional live sessions hosted by CISL Course Convenors and personalised feedback on your assignments from your teaching team.
- Research-backed, modular course design that balances structure and flexibility, so you can plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.
- Immersive course content, such as video lectures, guest interviews, infographics, and interactive quizzes and polls.
CISL Connect: Online live sessions
CISL has developed three bonus CISL Connect: Online Live Sessions for all students joining any of our ten business sustainability leadership courses. Through these sessions, you’ll get direct access to CISL's leading voices on today’s most urgent business topics – competitiveness, AI and resilience. This format gives you the chance to connect, collaborate and exchange ideas with a far broader global network of professionals beyond your cohort.
Frequently asked questions
This programme comprises three online sustainability courses from CISL: Business Sustainability Management, Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership and Business and Climate Change: Towards Net Zero Emissions. Students who complete this programme will be able to:
- Adopt a systems-thinking mindset to strategically address sustainability challenges.
- Understand how climate-related risks, regulatory factors, economic forces, and environmental variables impact business operations and strategy.
- Design resilient, low-carbon business models that drive innovation and growth.
- Build a sustainability action plan tailored to the needs and priorities of their organisation.
This sustainability leadership course is specifically designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals.
Please visit our delivery partner's website to view price.
This programme is 27 weeks long, not including orientation. Students typically spend 6-10 hours per week on module work and assignments.
Students with expertise in sustainability and leadership are well-positioned for senior and strategic roles, including:
- Executive and senior leadership roles: C-suite or board-level positions such as chief sustainability officer, head of ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) or director of corporate responsibility.
- Consultancy and advisory: Sustainability consultant or ESG adviser within global firms, boutique consultancies, or as an external consultant helping organisations implement sustainable practices.
- Corporate strategy and transformation: Roles focused on shaping sustainable business models, driving innovation and managing the transition to low-carbon operations across industries such as finance, energy, manufacturing, retail and technology.
- Policy and advocacy: Advising governments, NGOs or international organisations on climate policy, regulatory compliance and sustainable development goals.
- Impact investment and finance: Positions in investment banking, private equity or asset management focused on ESG integration, sustainable finance and green investment portfolios.
- Entrepreneurship: Founding or scaling businesses with a sustainability mission, from clean tech to circular economy start-ups.
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Delivered in Collaboration with GetSmarter
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is collaborating with digital education provider GetSmarter, a brand of 2U, Inc., to provide an interactive and supported online learning experience.