IMD has launched an online program with Coursera that allows participants anywhere in the world to access its world-renowned learning on a subject that’s vital for humanity, free of charge.
Sustainability for Business: ESG Fundamentals is a six-part online program that participants can join whenever they like, studying at their own pace and rhythm and completing the course as fast or as gradually as they choose.
Sustainability transformation
The knowledge and skills participants acquire on the online program will enable them to confidently play their part in the widescale sustainability transformation that is so urgently needed.
“We believe in having an impact and we think our responsibility to do that extends beyond the number of people who can pay our fees,” said David Bach, IMD President and Nestlé Professor of Strategy and Political Economy. “IMD is fully committed to accelerating the sustainability transformation, and launching this new program is a part of that. We have the tools and insights, and we want to make them more accessible. We’re excited to have as many people as possible get a taste of what IMD can do.”
A strong portfolio of sustainability programs
IMD already has a strong portfolio of sustainability programs, including the well-established Leading Sustainable Business Transformation, and sustainability is core to its degree programs. This is the first time the institute has made its expert insights and practical tools completely accessible to anyone, anywhere.
“We have launched four Sustainability Accelerators – short programs addressing crucial sustainability-focused topics – and an Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business over the past two years. The new Coursera program provides an additional powerful channel to help thousands of learners get a better grasp on increasingly urgent sustainability challenges and provides practical insights to address them,” said Paul Hunter, IMD’s Director of Programs and Learning Design.
Sustainability at the heart of strategy and organizational culture
The program starts by explaining what ESG is, demystifying terms such as the Paris Agreement and planetary boundaries, before delving into how business leaders and executives can place it at the heart of their strategy and create the right organizational culture for sustainability initiatives to flourish. Unusually, it invites participants to explore not only the opportunities that ESG provides but the risks, and how to mitigate them.
“This program provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities organizations face today and highlighted why evolving the business landscape is more critical than ever. A must for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of ESG and its role in driving sustainable success!”
– Mustafa B, Coursera participant
The program also provides access to IMD’s latest GenAI-enabled game, providing a highly engaging way for participants to grapple with sustainability challenges hands-on. Participants learn from Bach and six other renowned IMD professors – Professor of Sustainability and ESG Accounting Florian Hoos, Professor of Strategy and Lundin Chair Professor of Sustainability Knut Haanaes, Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation Julia Binder, Professor of Finance Karl Schmedders, Professor of Marketing and Strategy Frédéric Dalsace, and Affiliate Professor of Leadership, Communications, and Organizational Change Susan Goldsworthy.
Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller and has since become one of the largest online learning platforms.
Discover which of our sustainability programs will help you move from knowledge to action: IMD sustainability programs.
