Fundamentals of Sustainable Business

Gain a foundational understanding of the business case for sustainable development

A pair of cherry trees with pink and white leaves in front of a brick college building.

Program Overview

The Fundamentals of Sustainable Business certificate program empowers individuals to drive sustainable transformation in their organizations by understanding the complex economic issues around better business.

As businesses navigate growing environmental challenges, social concerns, and governance pressures (ESG), this program equips participants with a foundational knowledge of sustainability challenges that influence corporate decision-making, risk management, and opportunity identification. Such considerations likely affect corporate decision-making and the choices of business leaders. The course’s learning is grounded in the tools and applications needed to implement initiatives aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

What You’ll Learn

The Fundamentals of Sustainable Business certificate is uniquely designed to help you:

Recognize, measure, and report the impact of sustainability practices across the organization
Understand how to build a corporate brand with policies that support sustainable practices and positive community impact
Develop a foundational understanding of environmental challenges affecting business operations, including climate change, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling
Establish and prioritize sustainability goals and strategies
Overcome barriers to improvement through effective leadership and change management strategies
Promote organizational behavior that supports the success of sustainability initiatives

Who Will Benefit

Professionals anticipating the future of sustainable business or those with an interest in driving the adoption of sustainable practices at their workplaces
Individuals responsible for strategic planning, operations, or corporate social responsibility who want to integrate sustainability into business processes
Emerging sustainability officers seeking to drive strategic transformations that enhance sustainability, gain competitive advantage, and cultivate a positive brand perception among stakeholders
Corporate executives looking to manage risk and align sustainability with company strategy and growth goals

Takeaways

Introduction to common corporate sustainability challenges and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Conversant knowledge of environmental terminologies, measures, and reporting
An understanding of the short- and long-term economic benefits of sustainable practices
Tools for applying sustainability initiatives, including making business cases for sustainability improvements
An understanding of how to apply systems thinking, values thinking, and strategic thinking to sustainability challenges and manage change within the organization

What’s Included?

Interactive instruction from world-class experts representing multiple colleges, disciplines, and specialties within the University of Georgia
Immersive learning experience at the Terry College of Business and other locations on the main campus of the University of Georgia
Certificate in Fundamentals of Sustainable Business from the Terry College of Business/Odum School of Ecology for those who satisfy attendance and learning requirements
Networking, collaborating, and sharing ideas with leaders from various industries who are navigating sustainable business challenges
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day, welcome reception, guided campus walking tour to point out campus sustainability practices, and all program materials

Want to Learn More?

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about Fundamentals of Sustainable Business or other programs provided by the Terry College of Business Office of Executive Education.

Jason Parrish

jason.parrish@uga.edu (404) 842-4827

Director of Corporate Programs, Executive Education