Saïd Business School | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment
Oxford Climate Emergency Programme
As a leader, you have a crucial role in tackling the climate crisis. Discover ways to take action individually and collaboratively to find new ways of doing business.
Start date
12 February 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Global warming beyond this temperature, as compared to pre-industrial levels, will accelerate long-lasting changes that humans won’t be able to mitigate in time.
Deloitte (2020).
For the first time in the Global Risk Report’s history, climate-related issues dominate the top long-term risks by likelihood.
World Economic Forum (2020).
Duration: 6 weeks
In 2019, UN Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the "point of no return" for climate change was rapidly approaching. The next ten years will largely determine the climate risk outlook for the next century.1Addressing the consequences of climate change is no longer sufficient; businesses must play a significant role in confronting and mitigating the root causes of the crisis.
The Oxford Climate Emergency Programme provides the necessary tools to act upon the current situation. This six-week programme, developed by Saïd Business School and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment – both leading institutions at the University of Oxford – uses comprehensive research and critical insights to enable participants to navigate risks, identify opportunities, and catalyse change by reconceptualising how they do business. It provides systemic, organisational, and individual perspectives on the climate emergency, and explores economic system changes, business model innovation, and future-focused policymaking.
Participants are encouraged to prioritise personal resilience and leadership when facing the climate emergency, and to reflect on opportunities for collaboration. This programme is delivered using interactive peer engagement, case studies, and accessible tools. As you finalise the programme, you’ll explore a 100-day plan for driving urgent and meaningful change in your business.
1 World Economic Forum (2020).
Is this programme for you?
This programme is ideal for senior managers, consultants, and leaders interested in understanding climate change’s impact on the business world, and vice versa. It aims to equip participants with the necessary tools and frameworks to enhance their business strategies, achieve environmental sustainability, and balance sustainability with profitability. Professionals within the sustainability, social, and environmental sectors will find the programme invaluable, as it will enhance their collaborative efforts to address the climate emergency. Policymakers, regulators, and public sector professionals will also benefit from the programme, as it provides a systemic perspective on how to build a circular and regenerative economy.
This Oxford Climate Emergency Programme 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 programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks
In 2019, UN Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the "point of no return" for climate change was rapidly approaching. The next ten years will largely determine the climate risk outlook for the next century.1Addressing the consequences of climate change is no longer sufficient; businesses must play a significant role in confronting and mitigating the root causes of the crisis.
The Oxford Climate Emergency Programme provides the necessary tools to act upon the current situation. This six-week programme, developed by Saïd Business School and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment – both leading institutions at the University of Oxford – uses comprehensive research and critical insights to enable participants to navigate risks, identify opportunities, and catalyse change by reconceptualising how they do business. It provides systemic, organisational, and individual perspectives on the climate emergency, and explores economic system changes, business model innovation, and future-focused policymaking.
Participants are encouraged to prioritise personal resilience and leadership when facing the climate emergency, and to reflect on opportunities for collaboration. This programme is delivered using interactive peer engagement, case studies, and accessible tools. As you finalise the programme, you’ll explore a 100-day plan for driving urgent and meaningful change in your business.
1 World Economic Forum (2020).
Is this programme for you?
This programme is ideal for senior managers, consultants, and leaders interested in understanding climate change’s impact on the business world, and vice versa. It aims to equip participants with the necessary tools and frameworks to enhance their business strategies, achieve environmental sustainability, and balance sustainability with profitability. Professionals within the sustainability, social, and environmental sectors will find the programme invaluable, as it will enhance their collaborative efforts to address the climate emergency. Policymakers, regulators, and public sector professionals will also benefit from the programme, as it provides a systemic perspective on how to build a circular and regenerative economy.
This Oxford Climate Emergency Programme 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 programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
What will set you apart
An understanding of the climate emergency and the role you play in addressing it from a systemic, organisational, and individual perspective.
The skills and insight to shift your organisation towards a sustainable future, using business model innovation and alternative economic frameworks.
Tools for building collaborations with the right people in order to drive effective climate action.
A customised 100-day plan for your organisation to act urgently on the climate emergency and drive change.
Unlimited access to both the official Oxford Executive Education Alumni group on LinkedIn and 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
Tackle the problem: The climate emergency
Module 2
Experience the future: Climate risks and opportunities
Module 3
Reimagine the future: Frameworks for a new economic system
Module 4
Address the emergency: Business model innovation
Module 5
Drive collective action: Collaboration
Module 6
Shape the future: Plan for climate action
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What past students
think
Maria Grecna
Co-Founder, Earlwoode Partners
The content was wonderfully diverse and broad. It made me want to read way beyond the class materials. I struggled to get my head around the website initially, but it was fine thereafter. This programme introduced several topics and techniques that I wasn't familiar with and will explore afterwards. But the principal benefit for me was to realise that I DO know quite a bit already. It will give me the confidence to talk to external stakeholders more. I specifically liked the ‘journey’ and structure of the programme and assignments – starting by thinking about stakeholders and systems and culminating in concrete steps. The networking was quite limited, but I think we were all ecstatic to see each other’s faces during the live sessions! Kudos to the tutors – they were excellent.
Your faculty
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Aoife Brophy
Academic Director; Departmental Research Lecturer in Innovation and Enterprise, Saïd Business School and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
About the certificate
Learn about leadership through the lens of climate change, and earn an official certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford.
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 programme handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the programme.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
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.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
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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