WU Executive Academy - Vienna University of Economics and Business
ESG Online Program - Driving Sustainable TransformationVienna, Austria
DURATION
25 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 990
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Introduction
Bridging Sustainability and Financial Performance
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, sustainability is not a novelty but a necessity. Companies face significant risks if they remain passive; however, the challenges posed by changing environments also offer opportunities for new business ventures. Meeting the demands of discerning customers and complying with new regulations requires a systemic approach that considers environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. By strategically aligning sustainability efforts, organizations can enhance their resilience, reputation and ensure their long-term success while adhering to the principles of corporate social responsibility.
From Theory to Action: Europe's Impact on ESG Implementation
The strategic alignment of corporate sustainability initiatives explores connections between sustainability, innovation and profit. Europe in particular plays a vital role in shaping this sustainable transformation. European companies provide best practices for ESG implementation on a global scale. This knowledge enables decision-makers, employees, and civil society actors to bridge systemic thinking with strategic action, deepening their overall understanding of sustainability and maximizing their potential for impactful change.
Understanding ESG in a Flexible Online Format
The ESG Online Program - Driving Sustainable Transformation at WU Executive Academy offers a unique opportunity to study at one of the world's leading business schools while enjoying the full flexibility of an online format. Comprising 4 modules and totaling 25 hours of learning, this sustainability training offers a holistic approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as well as the necessary tools for implementing sustainability measures in your company or business unit. It covers key concepts of ESG Management, systemic thinking, strategic implementation, and leadership for sustainability. Equipping participants with the tools to effectively link sustainability efforts to financial performance and innovation.
What You Will Learn in this ESG Course
- Conceptual foundations of ESG management and terminology
- ESG best practices
- Developing a sustainability strategy
- ESG metrics and initiatives
- Organizational transformation and leadership
- Navigating high complexity through systemic thinking
- Storytelling and communicating sustainability
Ideal Students
This ESG course is perfect for those willing to drive sustainable transformation within their organization and obtain an ESG certificate along the way. Furthermore, the program offers strategic elements related to ESG issues as well as theoretical foundations on the topic of sustainability, offering the flexibility of an online format. The program is aimed at managers who want to incorporate ESG considerations into their organizations, at individuals who are curious about the ESG landscape from a European perspective, and at those aiming to integrate ESG principles into their business strategy. Additionally, it's suited for learners pursuing a career in ESG investing and sustainability management, as well as civil society actors who want to understand sustainability from a business viewpoint.
Curriculum
Module 1: Building a Strong Foundation
- Contextualization: History, themes and terminology of ESG
- Paradigm shifts: Understanding Web 3.0
- Interconnections of climate, society and governance
- Corporate governance: Stakeholders, governments and new market imperatives
- Changing landscape of governance and business implications
Module 2: Understanding ESG Through Systemic Thinking
- Systems and sustainability: Why systems are important in ESG and sustainability
- Systems and complexity: How to embrace complexity and avoid oversimplification
- Systemic thinking: Understanding impacts and unintended consequences
- Systems thinking and risk: Understanding how impacts relate to risk
- Systems thinking tools: Tools and techniques for applying systemic thinking
- Case study: Applying systems thinking to company level
Module 3: Crafting Effective ESG Strategies
- Business value drivers of sustainable business practices
- Financial logic: Profitability through sustainability
- Best practices and ESG structure of companies
- Developing a sustainability strategy: Implementation and content
- Measuring ESG: ESG metrics and initiatives
- Sustainability in practice: e.g. supply chains, LCA, Co2 pathways, offsetting
Module 4: Leading with Purpose: ESG and Organizational Change
- Leadership for sustainability: Different models and ways of leading for sustainability
- Organizational transformation
- Managing conflicts: Objectives, people and company forms
- Storytelling and Communicating Sustainability
- Values and sustainability: How values driven approaches can drive transformation and change
Program Outcome
After successfully completing the online ESG course, you will earn a certificate from the renowned WU Executive Academy.