Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes

Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes, offered by the University of Colorado System through Coursera, is an online beginner-level course designed to help learners understand the major sustainability challenges companies are working to address. The course focuses on the main sustainability issues companies are working to address, including climate change, water use, employee well-being, and supply chain challenges. The course also introduces practical tools to help companies respond to these issues more intelligently, making it relevant for learners interested in sustainability strategy and business transformation.

Core Content

The curriculum is structured across six modules and combines sustainability concepts with practical business applications. It covers climate and carbon footprinting, context-based sustainability, science-based targets, climate policy, water and energy issues, workplace and community topics, and supply chain impacts. The final module centers on a peer-reviewed science-based target assignment for a small company, helping learners connect sustainability theory with applied decision-making. Real business examples, interviews, readings, and assignments are used throughout the course to link core concepts with workplace practice.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to understand major corporate sustainability issues and assess how businesses can respond to them in practical ways. The course equips learners with skills in carbon footprinting, sustainability standards, water resource management, supply chain thinking, climate change mitigation, and goal setting. It also helps participants build a stronger understanding of internal carbon pricing, science-based targets, and the business case for addressing environmental and workplace challenges. By the end of the course, learners gain a more applied understanding of how to support sustainability change within a company.

Target Learners

This course is designed for students, early-career professionals, and business learners who want to build practical knowledge of sustainability challenges in a corporate setting. It is particularly relevant for those interested in ESG, sustainable business, climate strategy, supply chain sustainability, and workplace issues. Because Coursera lists it as beginner level with no prior experience required, it is also suitable for learners who are new to the field but want an applied introduction to how companies address major sustainability issues.

Learning Format

Hosted on Coursera, the course is delivered in a flexible online format with six modules and an estimated completion time of one week at around ten hours of study. The learning experience includes lecture videos, readings, discussion prompts, assignments, and a peer-reviewed final exercise. The course page also notes that learners can either complete the full course or focus on selected topics, making it suitable for both structured study and more targeted learning. A shareable certificate is available on completion.

Additional Benefits

The course offers practical value for learners who want to understand how sustainability issues are addressed inside companies. Its use of real-world examples, applied assignments, and a final science-based target exercise makes the learning directly relevant to workplace decision-making. Because it sits within a broader specialization, it also supports learners seeking a more structured pathway in sustainable business. The shareable certificate adds professional value for those looking to demonstrate foundational knowledge in corporate sustainability and ESG-related topics.

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