Transforming Insurance through Online Learning
Transforming Insurance
for a Sustainable Future
Leading the Way to a Better Tomorrow

Self-paced sustainability courses designed for insurance leaders and employees, from the University of Cambridge.

Insuring a successful future

Insurers are navigating a challenging landscape as increased disruption and market volatility impacts business performance and stakeholder expectations. In this challenging context, embracing sustainability can offer a strategic advantage. By updating strategies, enhancing operational efficiencies, and aligning with longer term priorities, insurers can navigate these difficulties more effectively and set themselves up for long-term success and resilience.

Why sustainability matters in the insurance industry:

Understanding climate risk

More than any other sector, the insurance industry has the expertise and the tools to rapidly and accurately model climate risk exposures across the globe. Understanding these is an essential part of the path to net zero.

Financing adaptation and the transition

In order to avert climate catastrophe, clean energy investments of ~USD4–5 trillion are required annually between now and 2030 (World Economic Forum 2023b). Insurers are both de-riskers and investors in the innovation and decarbonisation technology urgently needed for net zero.

Building climate resilience

Insurance is a primary source of resilience for economies worldwide. Insurers create climate resilience via the quantification, management and financing of physical and transitional climate risks.

Did you know?

$194-366 billion
The climate adaptation finance gap is widening and now stands at $194–366 billion
(United Nations Environment Programme 2023).
$4-5 trillion
In order to avert climate catastrophe, clean energy investments of ~USD4-5 trillion are required annually between now and 2030
(World Economic Forum 2023b).
$110 billion
In the first half of 2023 alone, natural catastrophe losses reached USD110 billion
(Munich Re 2023)

Business transformation for the right reasons

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is your partner to navigate the transition to a sustainable economy, for success now and long into the future. As an impact-led institute, CISL has pioneered sustainable business practices since 1988. Renowned for our integrity and innovation, we empower leaders to drive essential transitions towards a sustainable economy.

Why choose CISL?

  • Cutting-edge expertise: Our courses are rooted in the latest research from world-class Cambridge academics and expert industry practitioners.
  • Learning pathways that suit you. From 8-hour, asynchronous e-learning modules, to full academic Masters programmes and a range of executive education courses, CISL offers learning opportunities across your organisation.
  • Impact-driven approach: Courses designed with a results-driven approach, facilitating practical, actionable outcomes.
  • Recognised learning: Support your team’s professional development with a digital badge or certificate from CISL, to demonstrate commitment to sustainable finance.

Choosing the right programme
for you and your team

Through our flexible online modules, you can harness CISL’s cross-sector expertise, proven frameworks, and industry foresight. We enable your teams to share a fundamental understanding of key global issues, and in turn help your organisation to innovate.


Successful completion of these e-learning modules provides a digital badge for each learner. Through the admin portal, organisations can assess their team’s progress at any time. Once all learners have completed their modules, admins will also receive aggregated
feedback on the course experience, supporting your future learning strategy.

“Financial institutions and the countries, companies, and households that they support are facing into a whole host of environmental and social risks, but also opportunities. It is incumbent upon these institutions to get ahead of these trends and understand the commercial implications for the organisation, and how they can start responding proactively.”

Thomas Vergunst
Course Convenor and Subject Matter Expert, Sustainable Finance Foundations

Course details

Course Prices From | £139 +VAT (Discounts available for bulk purchases)

Self-paced Learning | 6-8 hours per course

12-Month Access | Complete at your own pace within 1 year.

Accreditation | Earn a badge of accreditation upon completion.

If your organisation is looking to deliver sustainability learning across its workforce, let’s talk.

Sustainable Finance Foundations

The finance sector is under increasing pressure to respond to the social and environmental challenges we face globally. Financial institutions looking to meet those challenges, and harness the opportunities of changing consumer trends, need to embed sustainability and resilience into their practices.

  • This online course supports finance professionals to develop a crucial foundational understanding of the risks of the global sustainability crisis and opportunities for a sustainable transition.
  • The learning is rooted in the latest sustainability thinking and can help learners to embed impact and sustainability risk mitigation into their practice.

Sustainable Business Foundations

Explore the core concepts of sustainability and how they apply to business operations, strategy, and performance.

Renewable Energy Foundations

Understand the transition to renewable energy sources and the role of finance in supporting this critical shift.

Sustainability Innovation Strategy

Discover innovative strategies for fostering sustainability within your organisation.

Hear from alumni of CISL’s education courses

“This training has been nothing short of amazing and truly eye opening. My vision towards my work environment and its impact has completely changed. I'm very glad I signed up for it.”

Learner, Sustainable Finance Foundations

“This course has truly helped me have a better vision of sustainable finance approaches such as multi-stakeholder initiatives, blended finance and investment banking. I greatly appreciated learning more about the key sustainability challenges that the insurance sector is facing today. I strongly recommend this course!”

Learner, Sustainable Finance Foundations

“As I complete this course, I am struck by the profound interconnectedness of finance, sustainability, and social responsibility. The insights I’ve gained about sustainable finance have deepened my understanding of how financial institutions can drive meaningful change in society while also addressing the pressing environmental challenges we face today.”

Learner, Sustainable Finance Foundations

“The whole course was not only very structurally inspiring but also provides a lot of knowledge about sustainability in the finance sector. Working in a bank, I find it very useful for my context.”

Learner, Sustainable Finance Foundations

Your expert guide to sustainable finance:
Meet the Academic Lead

Thomas Vergunst

Course convenor and Subject Matter Expert, Sustainable Finance Foundations

“The course covers the why, what and how of sustainable finance. It should be taken by individuals working within financial institutions to understand the current debates in sustainable finance and what a good response to this evolving landscape looks like to measure against.”

Here to Support You

Your learning journey with CISL

Discovery Call

Schedule a call with our team to discuss your needs.

Tailored Solutions

We provide a customised learning plan for your organisation.

Seamless Onboarding

Our dedicated team assists you throughout the onboarding process.

Continuous Support

Receive ongoing support to ensure your team’s success.

Watch Onboarding Video

Let’s Talk

Ready to embark on your sustainability journey? Contact us today!