Driving business towards the Sustainable Development Goals

The Driving Business Towards the Sustainable Development Goals course, offered by Erasmus University Rotterdam through Coursera, is a beginner-level online program designed to explore how businesses can contribute to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inequality. This self-paced course emphasizes the interconnectedness of the SDGs, encouraging participants to adopt a positive, critical mindset and take individual actions for sustainable development. It combines academic insights from management experts with real-world examples from international companies, helping learners understand the business case for sustainability without sacrificing profits. The program spans approximately 15 hours over seven modules and has received a MOOC Award of Excellence from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Core Content

The curriculum is structured into seven modules, each taking about one week to complete, focusing on the SDGs' hierarchy and their relevance to business. It begins with an introduction to the SDGs, their origins, and individual agency for change, using tools like footprint calculations to highlight personal impact. Subsequent modules cover biosphere-related goals (e.g., climate action, life on land and below water), societal challenges (e.g., poverty, health, education, gender equality, and sustainable cities), economic aspects (e.g., decent work, innovation, and responsible consumption), and partnerships for peace and justice. The course concludes with systems thinking, exploring synergies and trade-offs among SDGs, supported by videos, case studies from companies like Interface and Tony’s Chocolonely, and discussions on topics such as circular economy and human rights.

Key Skills

Learners develop the ability to identify the SDGs' interconnectedness, evaluate business strategies for their effectiveness in contributing to these goals, and apply management insights to foster sustainable practices. The program builds competencies in assessing synergies and trade-offs, setting personal goals for positive change (e.g., through "I WILL" statements), and understanding how businesses can mitigate environmental and social risks while creating value. Participants also gain skills in systems thinking, stakeholder collaboration, and implementing actions like reducing carbon footprints or promoting ethical supply chains, enabling them to drive prosperity for people and the planet.

Target Learners

This course is open to beginners interested in business and sustainability, including professionals, students, managers, and entrepreneurs aiming to integrate SDGs into their work or personal lives. It is particularly suited for those in corporate strategy, CSR, or innovation roles seeking to understand the business opportunities in addressing global challenges, without requiring prior expertise.

Learning Format

Delivered fully online via Coursera, the program includes videos, readings, quizzes, assignments, and discussion prompts, with flexible deadlines for self-paced progression. It features 11 assessments and interactive elements like weekly challenges (e.g., calculating ecological footprints or mapping systems), taught in English with subtitles in multiple languages. Learners can audit for free or pay approximately $49 for a shareable certificate upon completion.

Additional Benefits

Graduates earn a certificate from Erasmus University Rotterdam, enhancing professional profiles on platforms like LinkedIn and demonstrating commitment to sustainable business practices. The course fosters a global community for ongoing discussions and provides access to resources like the SDG Academy, supporting long-term application in careers focused on ethical and impactful development.

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