The London School of Economics and Political Science
Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society
Engage in an integrated, social-sciences approach to sustainability strategy that empowers you to cultivate practical strategies for a more sustainable future.
Start date
19 February 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
4–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The share of global executives who agree that immediate action can limit the worst impacts of climate change and move the world toward an improved future.
Deloitte (2021).
The number of jobs in the UK that are likely to be affected by the transition to a green economy – around one in five.
LSE (Mar, 2021).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Sustainability has become a top priority for corporations in recent years. However, this newfound focus on sustainability has not always been accompanied by a thorough understanding of what it means or how it can be achieved. In light of the rapidly changing climate and increasing pressure from all sides, a narrow, checkbox approach to sustainability is no longer sufficient. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and a broad perspective encompassing the political, economic, and social factors that influence it.
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers the Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course, which provides an integrated view of sustainability through a social science lens. The course spans six weeks and covers a range of theoretical concepts and practical applications in the field. You’ll learn from prominent LSE faculty, exploring the multi-dimensional aspects of sustainability, including sustainable transitions, sustainable economics, and social development. You’ll also discover ways to mitigate climate risks and conserve natural resources while developing financially viable sustainability strategies in your business context. By the end of the course, you’ll have a toolkit for incorporating sustainability into your current or future role and the expertise necessary to guide your organisation towards a greener future.
This Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
This course breaks down sustainability concepts into easily understandable insights that equip participants of various professions and experience levels with the necessary tools to contribute to the development of the circular economy. The course offers an in-depth examination of sustainability strategy from a business perspective, which benefits executives, directors, and managers. In addition, finance professionals and investors learn about identifying and using socially responsible investments. For individuals in the public sector, such as government employees, policymakers, and nonprofit workers, the course provides an opportunity to understand how social development and sustainability interact, enabling them to lead cross-sector initiatives. Risk managers and compliance officers can enhance their capacity to recognise and navigate climate-related challenges, and environmental specialists or programme consultants can gain the vocabulary to link sustainability value to the business world. The course is ideal for anyone who anticipates that sustainability will become a regular consideration in their work and desires the skills to hybridise their role and participate proficiently in the green economy of the future.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Sustainability has become a top priority for corporations in recent years. However, this newfound focus on sustainability has not always been accompanied by a thorough understanding of what it means or how it can be achieved. In light of the rapidly changing climate and increasing pressure from all sides, a narrow, checkbox approach to sustainability is no longer sufficient. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and a broad perspective encompassing the political, economic, and social factors that influence it.
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers the Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course, which provides an integrated view of sustainability through a social science lens. The course spans six weeks and covers a range of theoretical concepts and practical applications in the field. You’ll learn from prominent LSE faculty, exploring the multi-dimensional aspects of sustainability, including sustainable transitions, sustainable economics, and social development. You’ll also discover ways to mitigate climate risks and conserve natural resources while developing financially viable sustainability strategies in your business context. By the end of the course, you’ll have a toolkit for incorporating sustainability into your current or future role and the expertise necessary to guide your organisation towards a greener future.
This Sustainability: Environment, Economy and Society online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
This course breaks down sustainability concepts into easily understandable insights that equip participants of various professions and experience levels with the necessary tools to contribute to the development of the circular economy. The course offers an in-depth examination of sustainability strategy from a business perspective, which benefits executives, directors, and managers. In addition, finance professionals and investors learn about identifying and using socially responsible investments. For individuals in the public sector, such as government employees, policymakers, and nonprofit workers, the course provides an opportunity to understand how social development and sustainability interact, enabling them to lead cross-sector initiatives. Risk managers and compliance officers can enhance their capacity to recognise and navigate climate-related challenges, and environmental specialists or programme consultants can gain the vocabulary to link sustainability value to the business world. The course is ideal for anyone who anticipates that sustainability will become a regular consideration in their work and desires the skills to hybridise their role and participate proficiently in the green economy of the future.
What will set you apart
An integrated, social-sciences perspective on important concepts in sustainability, backed by the latest academic research.
Practical strategies for applying sustainability in your organisation and successfully leading the transition to a greener future.
An enhanced ability to manage climate-related risk, preserve natural capital, and make sustainability a part of financial or developmental agendas.
The confidence and skills to pivot into a role that actively partakes in cultivating the green economy and giving back to society.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Understanding sustainability transitions
Module 2
Sustainability, wealth, and natural capital
Module 3
The relationship between economic growth and sustainability
Module 4
What is development?
Module 5
Climate-related risk in an interconnected world
Module 6
Corporate and financial sustainability
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Course Convenors
Who you'll learn from
Professor Declan Conway
Interim Deputy Director and Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE
Dr Marion Dumas
Assistant Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE
Professor Giles Atkinson
Professor of Environmental Policy and Deputy Head of Department (Education and Teaching), Department of Geography and Environment, LSE
Dr Richard Perkins
Associate Professor of Environmental Geography, Department of Geography and Environment, LSE
About the certificate
Discover how to effectively incorporate sustainability into your organisation and role, enabling you to make positive environmental and social impacts, and earn an official certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
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Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
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