Sustainability Strategies Program | Stanford Graduate School of Business

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STARTS ON

June 8, 2023

DURATION

8 weeks, online
4–6 hours per week

PROGRAM FEE

US$2,800 and get US$280 off with a referral

Flexible payment available

For Your Team

Enroll your team and learn with your peers

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Sustainability Leadership Starts with You

A survey of recent headlines and research reports reveals the ways that consumers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders are using their influence to demand solutions to our global climate crisis. The majority of business leaders have sustainability on their radar, but what do sustainability initiatives look like in practice, and how can we make progress when the challenges seem insurmountable?

of S&P 500 organizations publish ESG reports in some form, as do approximately 70 percent of Russell 1000 organizations.

(SOURCE: MCKINSEY SUSTAINABILITY)
August, 2022

of millennials consider an organization’s social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work.

(SOURCE: DELOITTE)
May, 2022

of global consumers are willing to pay higher-than-average prices for products made with sustainable materials, and demand for sustainable products is expected to grow exponentially in emerging markets.

(SOURCE: DELOITTE)
May, 2022

Key Takeaways

Develop an understanding of the impacts and root causes of climate change to communicate the value of sustainable business practices to key stakeholders.
Learn to identify business opportunities that arise by transitioning to an environmentally sustainable organization.
Understand the interdependence between innovation and sustainability as a guiding force for developing your own sustainability initiatives.
Develop a proactive mindset to lead change effectively, with an eye toward positioning the organization as an agent of change.

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This Program Is Ideal for Professionals and Leaders Who Are:

Building strategies that move the needle on sustainability efforts within their organizations or industries

Developing and communicating the vision and value of a sustainable business future

Striving to be on the leading edge of environmental sustainability or transitioning from a legacy business model to a more innovative approach to business

Driving strategies at the business unit or organizational level, where maintaining a competitive advantage is critical

Program Modules

Module 1: The Climate Challenge

Develop your understanding of the climate challenges at hand and key terminology, including the carbon cycle, energy buildup, tipping points, and cumulative emissions.
Reflect on how climate change is impacting your organization and what you can learn from your competitors.
Make a pitch for sustainability as part of a communication exercise.

Module 2: Business Models and Sustainability

Understand the components of a business model using the business model architecture framework.
Examine Tesla’s business model as part of a case study deep dive.
Explore where your business model intersects with sustainability issues and identify opportunities.

Module 3: Sustainability and Your Value Chain

Learn how Little’s law—a numerical theorem—is applied to understanding circular economies and their relationship to the value chain. Map your organization’s value chain in relation to sustainability.
Propose short and long-term actions that impact your organization's value chain as it relates to climate change.

Module 4: Leading for Environmental Sustainability

Identify opportunities to lead sustainability change at any level of your organization and learn how to become an agent of change.
Understand how leadership can be leveraged to support and grow sustainability goals across the organization.

Module 5: Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Explore the interdependency between innovation and accomplishing sustainability goals.
Understand the role of leadership in managing the risks associated with change.
Examine several use cases, including Toyota Prius, Boeing 787, and Tesla, using the DICE framework—a unified framework for business model innovation.

Module 6: The Politics of Sustainability — Part 1

Analyze the impacts of political risks from private political groups, such as nongovernmental organizations, individual activists, and the media, using Citigroup's case study as a practical example.
Investigate the influence of location-based political risks on business decision making through Tata Motors' case.
Apply practical tools to mitigate and manage political risks in various business contexts.

Module 7: The Politics of Sustainability — Part 2

Utilize a structured framework to systematically assess the responses of various interest groups to environmental policies.
Examine the intricacies of global environmental policy development and implementation and evaluate an organization's existing sustainability strategy.

Module 8: The Triple Bottom Line

Use the triple bottom line framework to measure, evaluate, and communicate sustainability performance for your organization.
Analyze sustainability-related strategic performance and how it relates to your organization’s value creation activities and create your action plan for sustainability.

Program Walk-Through

Featured Program Elements

Capstone project designed to jump-start your sustainability efforts

Create an action plan that will positively impact sustainability in your organization. Using your weekly workbook exercises, you will identify your priorities based on where you can make an immediate difference for your organization.

Original strategic frameworks and tools from Stanford faculty

The proprietary frameworks are tools that help leaders support an organization's value chain and become efficient in leading sustainability initiatives and driving business change.

Featured case studies

Gain insights from Tesla, Lego, General Motors, and Citigroup’s business models and other successful businesses through case studies.

Meet the Faculty

William Barnett

The Thomas M. Siebel Professor of Business Leadership, Strategy, and Organizations

Professor Barnett studies how organizations are responding to the challenge of environmental sustainability. He is establishing research sites around the world, investigating a number of areas where organizational adaptation is key, including the proliferation of climate tech start-ups, issues around environmental justice, the challenge of climate migration, and the urgent need to preserve the world's rainforests.

Chris Field

The Perry L. McCarty Director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Melvin and Joan Lane Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies at Stanford University

Professor Field’s research focuses on climate change, especially solutions that improve lives now, decrease the amount of future warming, and support vibrant economies. Recent projects emphasize decreasing risks from coastal flooding and wildfires. He has been deeply involved with national and international efforts to advance understanding of global ecology and climate change.

Saumitra Jha

Associate Professor of Political Economy

Professor Jha’s award-winning research focuses on economic, financial, and organizational approaches to mitigating political polarization and violent conflict and promoting economic development. His work has been published in leading economic and political science journals. He has also been honored with the Teacher of the Year Award, as voted by the students of the Stanford GSB Sloan Fellows Program.

Haim Mendelson

The Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Professor of Electronic Business and Commerce, and Management

Professor Mendelson leads efforts at Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) in studying digital business and its interaction with organizations, markets, and value chains and incorporating their implications into Stanford GSB’s curriculum and research. His research interests include digital business, digital platforms, supply chain management, and market microstructure.

Joseph Piotroski

The Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting

Professor Piotroski leads Stanford GSB’s efforts to develop this Executive Education program on sustainable business strategies. An expert on helping leaders and organizations measure and manage value creation, Professor Piotroski’s research focuses on corporate transparency, governance, regulation, and decision-making in a global context, most notably in China and other developing economies.

Erica Plambeck

The Charles A. Holloway Professor of Operations, Information and Technology

Professor Plambeck is an expert in manufacturing operations and supply chain management, and her current research focuses on environmental sustainability. She received the Presidential Early Career Award for research in supply chain management and was recognized as a faculty pioneer in social and environmental stewardship by WRI and the Aspen Institute.

Stefanos Zenios

The Investment Group of Santa Barbara Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Operations, Information & Technology

Professor Zenios is the faculty co-director of Stanford GSB’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. He is an innovative teacher and researcher, and the main architect of Startup Garage, a popular GSB course that helps hundreds of Stanford GSB students and executives learn and apply the innovation processes that are at the center of the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

Certificate

Upon completion of this program, you will receive a certificate of completion from Stanford Graduate School of Business that you can share with your professional network.

FAQs

The Program

How do I know if this program is right for me?

After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend that you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.

Are there any prerequisites for this program?

Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page and in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.

Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English, and proficiency in English is required..

What is the typical class profile?

More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography—leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.

At what other dates will this program be offered in the future?

Check back to this program web page or email us at learner.success@emeritus.org to inquire whether future program dates or the timeline for future offerings has been confirmed.
The Learning Experience
How much time is required each week?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.

How will my time be spent?
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities, including:

Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty

Attending webinars and office hours as per the specific program schedule

Reading or engaging with examples of core topics

Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities

Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers

Completing your final project, if required

The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and demonstrating an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on program activities.

A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other program participants?

Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
Certification

What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

This program is scored as a pass or no pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.

What type of certificate will I receive?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter or resume or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program end date, once grading is complete.

Can I get a the hard copy of the certificate?

No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.

How long will I have access to the learning materials?

You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants as per the terms of the agreement.
Technical Requirements

What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.

Do I need to be online to access the program content?

Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any live stream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection as well. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Payment Process

Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

Yes, you can register up to seven days after the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.

What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and is usually referenced in the program brochure as well. Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).

What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

Yes, you can do a bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor or email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for details.

I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

Yes! Please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.

How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

Please email learner.success@emeritus.org with your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.

Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

Yes, the flexible payment option allows participants to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.

How can I obtain a W9 form?

Please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.
Refund Policy

What is the policy on refunds and withdrawals?

You may request a full refund within seven days of your payment or 14 days after the published start date of the program, whichever comes later. If your enrollment had previously been deferred, you will not be entitled to a refund. Partial (or pro-rated) refunds are not offered. All withdrawal and refund requests should be sent to admissions@emeritus.org.

What is the policy on deferrals?

After the published start date of the program, you have until the midpoint of the program to request to defer to a future cohort of the same program. A deferral request must be submitted along with a specified reason and explanation. Cohort changes may be made only once per enrollment and are subject to availability of other cohorts scheduled at our discretion. This will not be applicable for deferrals within the refund period, and the limit of one deferral per enrollment remains. All deferral requests should be sent to admissions@emeritus.org.

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