A World Leading Education on Leading Transitions to a Sustainable Future

 Carl Jerromes, participant of the Leading Sustainability Transitions programme, reflects on how the course has enhanced his knowledge and skill set.

I enrolled onto the Leading Sustainability Transitions course at  Warwick Business School (WBS) in Spring 2023 because I was confident that the learning experience would develop my knowledge and skill set in transitioning workplaces towards sustainable futures.

I have been working in a research role for several years, writing and publishing learning materials on workplace transitions that need to take place to address climate change. This has been done for a leading industrial / employment relations organisation in the UK and Ireland linked to most private sector industries.

The 'Leading Sustainability Transitions' provides a framework and toolkit from which to apply successful net zero emission strategies in the workplace, from a business school that has been ranked second in the world for teaching and researching sustainability on its full time MBA. 

The programme takes you through a learning journey about implementing sustainability in the workplace. It begins by explaining the fundamental science behind the climate change theory, and why addressing climate change in the workplace is essential to organisations and businesses.

Leading Sustainability Transitions focuses on five key lessons:

• Business and Climate Change
• Business Models for Sustainability
• Design Thinking for Sustainability
• Behavioural Change and Decision Making for Sustainable Futures
• Sustainable Leadership

The programme has helped me understand key sustainability challenges organisations face and how to use appropriate frameworks to tackle these challenges. I’ve gained an appreciation of the scale, scope and urgency to tackle climate change in the workplace and how to develop strategic responses to make businesses become more sustainable organisations. With a focus on effective leadership in sustainable businesses, you’re encouraged to develop personal leadership skills through reviewing and developing sustainable business models.

Social issues are considered alongside environmental challenges when making decisions about sustainability. You’re challenged to think about sustainable business challenges and apply a range of cutting-edge tools, concepts and frameworks in the process. A key part of the course is identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to assist the implementation of successful sustainable business planning. The course will enable you to change your business for the better. It is designed for business leaders, and is flexible, allowing you to fit the course around your work-life schedule, and offers the chance to connect and collaborate with a wide range of peers.

I have thoroughly enjoyed undertaking and completing the course. I believe that the knowledge and skill sets learnt on the programme will prove to be invaluable in my present and future career roles addressing the issues of climate change in the workplace.