Business and Climate Change

The Business and Climate Change course, offered by Harvard Business School Online, is a five-week online certificate program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge to identify, communicate, and address climate-related risks and opportunities in business contexts. Co-taught by Professors Forest Reinhardt and Michael Toffel, the course explores the science, economics, and policy implications of climate change, while providing practical strategies for adaptation and mitigation across industries. It emphasizes real-world case studies from companies like Driscoll’s, Clearwater Seafoods, the BMW Group, PG&E Corporation, New Belgium Brewing, Gro Intelligence, and Indigo Carbon, helping participants develop economics- and science-based solutions to navigate climate challenges. Requiring 25-30 hours of study, the program costs $1,850 and is accessible to a global audience, with cohorts starting periodically, such as November 6, 2025.

Core Content

The curriculum is divided into three main modules that build a comprehensive understanding of climate change through a business lens. The first module covers the fundamentals, including the science of climate change, its economic impacts, and public policy considerations, such as greenhouse gas emissions trends, imperfect markets, and mechanisms like command-and-control or market-based regulations. The second module focuses on adaptation strategies, examining physical stressors like heat, water scarcity, wildfires, storms, floods, sea-level rise, and ocean changes, with exercises on assessing impacts on suppliers, operations, and customers, and applying a three-step adaptation approach. The third module addresses mitigation, exploring emissions reduction across value chains, technology for decarbonization, policy advocacy, carbon offsets, and synergies between adaptation and mitigation, using examples from companies like New Belgium Brewing and the BMW Group. Throughout, the course incorporates interactive elements like reflections on industry contributions to emissions and brainstorming business solutions.

Key Skills

Participants gain the ability to analyze climate change science, assess its economic and policy implications, and identify risks and opportunities across industries. The program develops competencies in evaluating adaptation measures, such as planning for long-term stressors like sea-level rise, and implementing mitigation strategies, including measuring emissions and selecting projects for reduction. Learners build skills in critical thinking to develop scalable, cost-effective solutions, leveraging insights from real-world cases to inform strategies, and exploring the pros and cons of approaches like carbon offsets or policy advocacy. Graduates emerge prepared to communicate climate-related insights to stakeholders and drive creative business responses to environmental challenges.

Target Learners

This course is tailored for business professionals, managers, CSR or operations specialists, entrepreneurs, and investors interested in rethinking strategies amid climate change. It suits those in industries affected by environmental shifts, such as manufacturing, energy, or agriculture, who need to adapt operations or pursue climate-oriented initiatives. No prior expertise is required, making it accessible for beginners or mid-career individuals aiming to integrate sustainability into their roles, including those from diverse backgrounds like public relations, marketing, or tech entrepreneurship.

Learning Format

Delivered entirely online, the course spans five weeks with self-paced modules requiring 5-6 hours weekly, featuring interactive activities every 3-5 minutes, including videos, quizzes, reflections, and peer discussions. It uses Harvard's case-based method with real-world examples, weekly deadlines for social learning, and access to materials for 60 days post-completion, plus downloadable PDF summaries. Participants can audit for free or pay for a certificate, with evaluation based on completing modules and social elements rather than grades. The format emphasizes global collaboration and is optimized for edge-of-your-seat engagement.

Additional Benefits

Completing the course awards a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Business School Online, which can be listed on resumes or LinkedIn to enhance professional credentials, and contributes to a Certificate of Specialization in areas like Business in Society. Graduates join the HBS Online Community for networking, events, and ongoing resources, fostering connections with peers worldwide. The program provides lifelong access to module summaries and supports career growth by preparing participants to lead climate-resilient strategies in their organizations.

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