The Future of Sustainable Business:

Enterprise and the Environment

Module Guide

In partnership with
 What to Expect
The contents of each module will be released weekly, and we
expect you to dedicate around 3–5 hours to studying each week.
Tasks and content will vary per week but that is the guideline.

The course is deliberately designed to be flexible around your

schedule. There are no live elements to the course – videos
are pre-recorded and tasks are pre-set – so it can be picked up
whenever you want during the seven days each module is live.
You will have the opportunity to interact with the Facilitator
via instant message within the learning platform, and there are
discussion forums to engage with peers.

2
2
Module 0:
Getting Started
During this module, you will meet your fellow learners and the Facilitator who will be providing support to you
throughout your studies. You will learn more about what the course offers and how to navigate through it.
You’ll also have the chance to tell us more about yourself by answering the questions and posting to the
discussion board.

Module 1: Module 2:
Net-Zero, the SDGs, The Environment and
the World and You: Introductions Enterprise Journey
By the end of this module, you will be able to: By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define key terms and concepts related to net-zero • Understand how current conceptualisations of
and the sustainable development goals (NZSDG); enterprise and the environment are the product of
historical events - including key “tipping points”;
• Engage with these concepts and confidently apply
them in practice; • Evaluate previous corporate responses to social
and environmental issues and analyse why these
• Appreciate and account for conflicting objectives
responses are failing to meet our current challenges;
and tensions between interests, actors, and
geographies in relation to NZSDGs; and • Account for the significance of social and
environmental irresponsibility to business; and
• Situate and reflect on your own motivations and
objectives related to NZSDGs. • Assess how robust different business approaches are
for achieving sustainability.
During every module, including this one, you will take
a ‘Check Your Understanding’ quiz, which will help During this module, you will submit your ‘Check Your
ensure you’re on track with your learning targets. Understanding’ responses and a journal entry. You will
You’ll also join discussions with your peers and also participate in a discussion with your peers.
the Facilitator. This week, you’ll submit your first
journal entry.
Module 3: Module 4: Module 5:
Low Carbon Transition Resource Management Sustainable Finance
By the end of this module, you will be able to: By the end of this module, you will be able to: By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define net-zero, understand its scientific • Define the concept of Planetary Boundaries and • Understand the role of financial markets as both
underpinnings, and account for the interdependence outline its key features; a cause of - and solution to - unsustainable
between ecological, social, and economic systems; development and greenhouse gas emissions;
• Understand interconnections between the SDGs,
• Understand the changes to our energy systems as net-zero and enterprise; and • Identify the key instruments currently in use to
part of a Low Carbon Transition; leverage and align financial systems and corporate
• Identify the SDGs important to your business or
finance to sustainability; and
• Understand the essential ideas of systems theory contexts of importance for you and understand
and thinking in systems; and possible strategies for addressing them. • Consider how to translate knowledge of net-zero
and the SDGs into financial strategies for a
• Identify possible solutions for transitions to net- This week, you will take your weekly ‘Check Your
sustainable future.
zero; appreciate the interplay of policy, markets, Understanding’ quiz. You will also submit your first
behaviour, and technology to enact them. formative assessment. During this module, you will complete your ‘Check
Your Understanding’ responses and participate in a
During this module, you will submit your ‘Check Your
discussion with your peers. You will also submit a
Understanding’ responses and a journal entry. You will
journal entry.
also participate in discussions with your peers, one of
which will be peer reviewed.

4
Module 6: Module 7: Module 8:
Business Transformation Technology, Policy and Law Leadership for the Future
By the end of this module, you will be able to: By the end of this module, you will be able to: By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define the principles of regenerative and circular • Understand how socio-technical interventions can • Identify the styles of management and leadership
economy and conceptualise them as solutions to accelerate the transition to NZSD; for sustainability best suited to you and your
the linear economy; enterprise;
• Learn strategic question to use in your evaluation
• Evaluate the challenges and opportunities of of new technologies emerging to address • Evaluate how you plan to change your personal
business transformations inclusive of factors sustainability and transform business; leadership for sustainability; and
such as the changing nature of work, emerging
• Situate the relationship between business and • Identify stakeholders of different organisations,
technologies, and managing innovation; and
different scales of policy and global governance understand their intentions, and formulate a strategy
• Explore different approaches to facilitate and for sustainability considering how they present for engagement.
manage innovation and transformation in business. opportunities and risks; and
In this final week, you will take part in your last
This week, you will submit your ‘Check Your • Understand the role of the law for supporting ‘Check Your Understanding’ quiz and peer review
Understanding’ responses, as well as your next NZSD, particularly in relation to businesses. discussion. As well as this, you will submit your
formative assessment. This week, one of your summative assessment. This will involve developing
This week, you will complete your ‘Check Your
discussions will be peer reviewed. a pitch about how you would like to lead strategic
Understanding’ responses, participate in a discussion
change. You can choose how you present your
with your peers and submit a journal entry.
pitch, whether that is as a written document or an
audio or video recording. The project will allow you
to demonstrate your understanding of the various
5 concepts that have been considered throughout
the course.
 How to Earn a Certificate and
Succeed in This Course

To succeed in this course, you are expected to:

• Watch all videos;

• Respond to all activities;

• Reflect on what you’re learning;

• Share your ideas with your peers in the discussion forum; and

• Apply what you learnt to complete the final assignment.

In order to pass the course and qualify for a certificate of

completion, you must receive an overall grade of 75% or higher.

Your grade will be calculated as follows:

Discussion = 20%

Peer Review Activities = 20%

Formative Assignments = 20%

Final Assignment [Summative Assessment] = 40%

Note that certificates do not indicate your score, only whether you
have passed. Your certificate will be issued by the platform.

6
Thank you again for choosing to study with The Smith
School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of
Oxford, in partnership with Boundless Learning.

In partnership with