27 January 2026 - BSI and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) are partnering to offer a new Sustainability Training Academy. It will equip leaders, managers, and sustainability practitioners with the skills, strategic insight, and practical tools needed for organisations to adapt to change to drive real-economy value, be competitive and build resilience against future uncertainty.
The partnership brings together CISL’s world-leading expertise in sustainability leadership and systems thinking with BSI’s globally recognised strengths in standards, assurance, and management system training. Together, the organisations aim to support individuals and companies in understanding why sustainability matters for long-term value creation and how to embed it through structured, operational frameworks.
As part of the Academy launch, two new courses are now available:
1. CISL Business Sustainability Management
CISL Business Sustainability Management is an online, tutor-led programme which empowers individuals and organisations to take an active role in driving sustainable value creation. Learners will be part of a global cohort of executives spanning multiple sectors and job functions with the common goal to build resilient and value-driven businesses.
Across 8 weeks they have direct access to CISL tutor team of sustainability practitioners, academics and high-profile sustainability experts who will challenge thinking and strategic agency. Through the development of a structured personal action plan, learners are supported to translate learning into immediate real-world application to embed sustainable practices into the business or sector they operate in. Personalised feedback on individual actions plans help strengthen ambition, accountability and impact as they implement their strategy in the real economy.
Business Sustainability Management will welcome four cohorts in 2026 commencing on 4 February, 29 April, 27 July and 7 October.
2. CISL Sustainable Business Foundations
CISL Sustainable Business Foundations is a self-paced, short online course for busy executives and their wider teams to be equipped with a clear, practical understanding of global sustainability trends, including key risks, opportunities, and practical frameworks to help them shape business decisions that support a resilient, sustainable business. With this shared understanding of how to create sustainable business value and a concise personal action plan as key take aways, teams are better positioned to collaborate, innovate and contribute to implement sustainable business and sector strategies at scale.
Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Training Academy. This collaboration unites two leading organisations committed to advancing sustainability through education and innovation. By combining our expertise, we can empower more organizations and individuals to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future. We look forward to cocreating new learning opportunities and sharing exciting developments in the months ahead.”
Lindsay Hooper, CEO, CISL, said: “At a moment when leaders are seeking clear pathways to tackle systemic challenges while building organizational resilience and long-term value, our partnership with BSI brings together complementary strengths in rigour, insight, standards, and practical application. Together, we aim to help organizations build the knowledge, capability and confidence needed to deliver credible and lasting outcomes that are good for organisations - and for the social and environmental foundations on which they depend.”