FlexiMasters in Sustainability Business Ecosystems

FlexiMasters in Sustainability Business Ecosystems

Course Provider

Nanyang Executive Education

Certification

FlexiMasters

Academic Unit

15

Introduction

The urgent need for sustainability management expertise is clear, and it is only growing. In a world confronted by escalating environmental challenges, social inequalities, and economic uncertainties, the demand for individuals with a profound understanding of sustainability principles and effective management strategies has never been more critical.

The FlexiMasters in Sustainability Business Ecosystems course aims to instill practical skills that empower executives and professionals to lead their organizations through the complexities of sustainable business transformation. The seven modules will focus on key knowledge, skills and tools for corporate executives and professionals to transition their companies to operate within the green economy.

Credits earned in the FlexiMasters in Sustainability Business Ecosystems is transferable to the Executive MSc in Sustainability Management. 

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  • Provide learners with better access to Postgraduate level training so that they can upskill/reskill with a personalised learning pathway.

  • Enable adult learners to build on their experience, transit and prepare for career shifts and become future-ready amidst fast-changing employment market.

  • Credits earned can be stacked towards postgraduate degrees at NBS.
ModuleObjective

Ecosystem

Corporate Sustainability: Strategies and Innovations

The negative impacts of the industrial sector on both society and the environment have triggered increasing demands from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the broader civil society, and various stakeholders to adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices across their entire operation. From sourcing to distribution and even post-use management of products and packaging, such concerns about corporate sustainability and responsibility have become pivotal for board members, shareholders, and market regulators.

While climate change remains one of humanity's foremost challenges, the United Nations, working alongside numerous stakeholders, has delineated 17 Sustainable Development Goals for companies to champion. Through innovative thinking and the adoption of appropriate technologies and methodologies, businesses can markedly reduce the adverse effects of their operations on both the environment and society at large. For business leaders, it's paramount to comprehend the primary challenges in sustainability and to gain insights into the strategies and innovations that can mitigate these issues. The course will also attempt to address contentious issues in corporate sustainability.

What you will learn

  • Analyse and evaluate the key issues in corporate sustainability, showcasing a profound understanding of their complexities and implications. 
  • Develop a strategic framework for effectively implementing sustainable business practices, demonstrating the ability to synthesize various concepts and approaches.
  • Critically assess and examine specific issues in corporate sustainability covered in the class, demonstrating a sophisticated comprehension and ability to apply learned knowledge.
  • Demonstrate the skill to proficiently read and interpret sustainability reports, and independently evaluate sustainability challenges in specific industries, showcasing the ability to assess, compare, and contrast relevant information.

Sustainability Reporting

Sustainability Reporting

The modern business landscape is witnessing an escalating demand for corporations to produce sustainability reports that are transparent, reliable, and comparable. Such reports are essential to address the needs of investors and other financial market players. This course offers learners a comprehensive understanding of the paramount sustainability reporting standards deployed for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns and climate-specific data.

Central to our exploration are globally recognised frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SASB), and International Sustainability Standard Board (ISSB). The course lays significant emphasis on elucidating how organisations can proficiently convey information about pivotal sustainability-related risks and opportunities, ensuring that it serves the primary users of financial reports in making informed decisions.

Beyond presenting the salient features of sustainability reporting, learners will gain insights into the characteristics that define high-calibre sustainability-related disclosures. This module also ventures into the tangible challenges that organisations face while implementing and auditing these disclosures.

What you will learn

  • Evaluate the major sustainability reporting frameworks such as TCFD, GRI, SASB and ISSB.
  • Appraise the linkages between financial reporting and sustainability-related disclosures.
  • Assess the main features of sustainability reporting frameworks and characteristics of high-quality financial disclosures related to sustainability.

Sustainability and Law

Sustainability and Law 

Our world stands at a pivotal juncture, with challenges like climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation, overpopulation, deforestation, and rapid urbanisation threatening our very existence. To navigate these tumultuous waters, governments, businesses, non-governmental entities, and international organisations are pivoting towards sustainable development. Central to these efforts is the role of law, acting both as a regulator and a harmoniser.

This course surveys the most pressing sustainability issues and the existing and emerging legal frameworks that may address them across various jurisdictions. While designed for a broad audience, it offers particular insights for individuals in leadership or decision-making roles, spanning both the private and public sectors.

What you will learn

  • Identify key areas of law that promote sustainable development.
  • Evaluate the role of law in compelling, if not incentivising, sustainability in developmental activities.
  • Evaluate the role of law as a balancing mechanism between the rights and interests of key stakeholders in matters concerning the environment.
  • Effectively communicate arguments and strategies both in written and oral form.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based Solutions

In the modern age, as our planet faces unprecedented challenges, the importance of nature-based solutions — sustainable strategies that harness and bolster ecosystems for the mutual benefit of both humanity and the environment — cannot be overstated. These approaches have gained global prominence as an answer to the pressing issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and escalating socio-economic disparities.

This course seeks to immerse learners in the world of nature-based solutions, spotlighting the pivotal role that the corporate sector can play. Given businesses' multifaceted relationship with the environment, from their impact through pollution and degradation to their reliance on ecosystems for resources, understanding these sustainable strategies is crucial. Learners will gain insights into the application of nature-based solutions across diverse sectors, including urban planning and water resource management.

Armed with this knowledge, learners can critically evaluate the potential of such solutions within their respective industries. Central to our exploration are two foundational frameworks: the Standard for Nature-Based Solutions set out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Science-Based Targets for Nature Guidance tailored for businesses. These will be contextualised with tangible, real-world examples, providing a robust understanding of the topic.

What you will learn

  • Define nature-based solutions and summarise their social and environmental benefits.
  • Explain the relevance of nature-based solutions to businesses by giving examples of implementation in different sectors.
  • Identify steps businesses can take to promote and implement nature-based solutions in practice.

Sustainable Finance

Sustainable Finance

As sustainability takes centre stage in today's business landscape, the financial sector is no exception. This course offers a thorough exploration of sustainable finance principles and techniques, covering diverse topics ranging from carbon taxation and emissions trading systems to sustainable investment methodologies.

Learners will be guided through the complexities of each subject, focusing on real-world challenges and the opportunities they present, as well as the practical solutions employed in the industry.

What you will learn

  • Interpret the concepts and institutional backgrounds of each topic covered in the sustainable finance class.
  • Identify the issues and challenges in policy making regarding sustainable finance.
  • Make recommendations of potential solutions to one of the challenges and issues in practice.

Climate Change

Climate Systems and Climate Change 

Climate change represents one of the most significant challenges our modern world grapples with, having profound implications for our global economy. For the global business arena, the rising costs and the sheer unpredictability of climate change risks make it an area of pressing concern. However, a lot of apprehension springs from a fundamental gap in understanding the science underlying climate change.

For today's leaders, it's imperative to comprehend this science and strategise effectively to counteract and adapt to these risks. In this course, learners will embark on a comprehensive journey into the intricacies of the Earth's climate system, evaluating the profound effects humanity exerts upon it and the consequential shifts we instigate.

Presenting cutting-edge research on historical climate changes and their relevance to present conditions, this module also provides insights into future climate trajectories. Learners will be armed with the knowledge to discern how various facets of climate change could impinge upon business operations. We will also showcase pioneering adaptation and mitigation strategies, illustrating how businesses can not only endure but indeed prosper in a climate-altered future.

What you will learn

  • Explain how and why climate change matters to business using examples.
  • Describe the basics of the climate system and climate change science and the links between different components.
  • Demonstrate a conceptual knowledge of how studies of past and present climate inform models of the future.
  • Outline how climate projections can be used to examine the impact on business.
  • Explore sustainability, adaptability, and mitigation solutions.

    Green House Gases

    Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) Emissions: Measurement and Management

     

    In the contemporary business landscape, there's a palpable enthusiasm echoing throughout industries regarding green initiatives and the measures businesses are taking to mitigate their carbon footprints. Both governments and private entities are vocalising their commitments to net-zero objectives.

    This course is designed to endow learners with a deep understanding of the prevalent techniques of carbon accounting. Delving into the fundamentals, we will guide you through the process of delineating your organisational boundary and teach you how to categorise emissions using a standardised framework. Our approach will furnish you with the tools and methodologies to proficiently measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions within any organisation.

    What you will learn

    • Outline the fundamentals of carbon accounting.
    • Establish organisational and operational boundaries for developing a relevant and accurate GHG inventory for an organisation.
    • Identify relevant and material scope 1, 2, and 3 emission sources and account for them using the GHG Protocol.
    • Develop science-based target and decarbonisation strategy.

    Standard Course Fee: S$32,500 (Before GST)


     Course Fees in SGD
     Fees BEFORE
    funding & GST
    Fees AFTER
    funding & 9% GST
    Singapore Citizens (aged 21-39) / PR (aged ≥21)
    70% Funding
    $32,500.00 $10,627.50
    Singapore Citizens (aged ≥40)
    MCES1 - up to 90%
    $32,500.00 $4,127.50
    SME-sponsored Singapore Citizens / PR
    ETSS2​ - up to 90%
    $32,500.00$4,127.50
    NTU Alumni
    Fee payable after 70% SSG Funding and use of $1,600 **NTU Alumni Course Credits
    $32,500.00$10,104.30

    1. Under the SkillsFuture Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) scheme. For more information, visit the SkillsFuture website here.
    2. Under the Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises (ETSS) scheme. For more information, click here.

    Singapore Citizens, aged 25 and above, and self-sponsored, may use their SkillsFuture Credit and SkillsFuture Credit Top-Up to defray part of the net course fee. You can submit your SkillsFuture Credit claims by logging into MySkillsFuture.sg. Please click here for “How do I submit a claim for SkillsFuture credit?” and other FAQs.

    Funding Requirements
    - You must achieve a minimum of 75% attendance for each module.
    - You must complete and pass all assessment components.

    You do not need to contact SkillsFuture for funding before course registration. NTU will handle the funding paperwork for both self and company-sponsored applicants. You will be invoiced the net amount after funding and GST.

    **NTU Alumni Course Credits
    All NTU/NIE alumni may utilise their alumni credits of $1,600 to co-pay up to 50% of the course fee (exclusive of prevailing GST) payable for courses offered by NTU-Continuing Education Training (CET) Units. It is your responsibility to inform us if you wish to utilize alumni credits before the start of the programme. For more info, please click here.

    There will be no refund of the $1,600 Alumni course credits if you withdraw from the programme after successful admission.

    FlexiMasters Business Finance

    FlexiMasters in Business Finance

    Suitable for anyone interested in finance but who had minimal exposure to this field at a tertiary academic level, the FlexiMasters in Business Finance aims to give you broad exposure to financial topics, including corporate finance and investments, plus newer fields such as fintech and sustainable finance. 

    FlexiMasters General Management

    FlexiMasters in General Management

    This FlexiMasters in General Management will equip you with the skills necessary to run modern enterprises. The five-course sequence will focus on key aspects of business strategy, people management, operations, company governance, cultural intelligence, and business negotiation.

     

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