Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies
Create business strategies using a sustainable circular economy model
Shape a resilient future through circular leadership
The overexploitation of natural resources required to achieve economic growth and development has negatively impacted the environment and adversely affected their availability and cost. Circular economy offers new ways to create a more sustainable economic growth model, and the concept is taking hold across the world.
The six-week Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies online programme is designed to help you understand the growing business case for sustainable solutions. You will learn how to manage and grow a sustainable organisation by incorporating circular economy principles into your strategies.
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Key takeaways
Develop a nuanced understanding of the three dimensions of sustainability: society, environment and economy.
Build the vocabulary and vision to explain how to create a business culture of sustainability.
Discover how to demonstrate the value of impactful investments.
Learn to plot and implement steps for developing a sustainable business model.
Who is this programme for
The six-week Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies online programme is is designed for professionals looking to lead with impact and drive business success by using circular economy strategies.
Mid-level managers and team leaders: Ideal for those aiming to embed environmental sustainability into day-to-day operations, inspire innovation within their teams and grow their sustainability leadership potential through practical and actionable learning.
Senior executives and decision-makers: Well suited for leaders aiming to align business strategy with sustainability goals, drive long-term value and lead organisation-wide transformation with clarity and confidence.
Consultants and sustainability advisors: Perfect for professionals advising on sustainability who want to sharpen their strategic edge, expand their toolkit, enhance their advisory capabilities and deliver high-impact solutions across industries through a structured action plan approach.
Hear from our participants
What you will learn
Learn the fundamentals of sustainability and examine it from a business standpoint using metrics such as the triple bottom line (TBL), environmental, social and governance (ESG) and the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Activity: develop a list of potential initiatives and record them in a sustainability initiative register.
Examine the basics of a circular economy and discover the power of a sustainable business model to mitigate waste.
Activity: evaluate your organisation’s business model using the four components of the circular economy framework.
Understand the importance of sustainability to long-term organisational success.
Activity: explore sustainable business models and the circular economy framework.
Explore the relationship between circularity and sustainability and identify other forces that enable sustainability, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), impact investment, leadership and management commitment, infrastructure and government policy.
Activity: pitch a sustainability initiative for your organisation.
Discover the connection between sustainability and innovation.
Activity: use the ReSOLVE framework as a springboard for creating innovations that are both profitable and sustainable.
Understand the characteristics of sustainable finance and learn how the impact of investments are measured to build a legacy of sustainability for your organisation.
Activity: examine the traditional and impact investment approaches to calculating returns.
*For more information on the syllabus, please download the brochure.
Case studies: circularity in action
Explore how global organisations are applying circular economy principles to redesign operations, innovate sustainably and unlock new business value.
Rheaply: building infrastructure for circular exchange
Discover how Rheaply created a platform that connects supply with demand to make underutilised assets visible and reusable.
Peterborough: measuring circular progress at city scale
See how a UK city piloted a framework to track and scale circular strategies for government and local organisations.
Renault: reimagining plastics in auto manufacturing
Learn how Renault established a closed-loop plastic supply through stakeholder collaboration and ecosystem redesign.
Rolls-Royce: powering low-carbon, circular innovation
Explore how Rolls-Royce leverages its scale to drive fuel-efficient tech and circular partnerships across its value chain.
MUD Jeans: circularity in fashion at scale
See how this denim disruptor uses recycled materials and a subscription model to cut waste and environmental impact.
Philips: lighting as a service
Discover how Philips transitioned from selling lightbulbs to offering light as a service to drive sustainability and circularity.
Repeat: modular headphones on subscription
Explore how Repeat reinvented personal electronics with modular design and a repairable subscription-based model.
How you will learn
Sustainability frameworks
Work with foundational models, including circular economy and reSOLVE’s six strategies for sustainable growth.
AIDA principle
Use the AIDA model to shift organisational culture towards sustainable thinking and action.
Real-world examples
Discover how organisations apply sustainability to innovate, cut waste and boost performance.
Global network access
Connect with a global network of professionals and leaders focused on circular innovation.
Flexible, applied learning
Learn at your own pace and apply circular principles immediately in your organisation or industry.
Q&A sessions
Get questions answered in live sessions to deepen understanding and support your learning journey.
Assignments
Assignments centre around a dedicated workbook designed to help you apply circular economy strategies and sustainability frameworks within your professional context. They address all key aspects, including identifying initiatives, managing stakeholders, pitching ideas and ensuring successful deployment.
Assess your organisation’s contributions to the conservation of the Earth's natural capital and how this supports environmental sustainability.
Identify stakeholders and plan how to guide them through a shift to a circular economy model.
Create a one-page pitch describing how you would apply all five markers of sustainability to make your organisation more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact.
Through a series of six assignments, develop an initiatives register and use it as a guide to evaluate the circularity of your business model, identify relevant stakeholders and pitch your sustainability initiatives.
Your sustainability workbook
The sustainability workbook is a hands-on document that captures your reflections, assignments and strategic thinking as you move through each module. The workbook is designed to help you apply key concepts to your work environment, develop an actionable plan for advancing environmental sustainability and drive sustainable development. It becomes a personalised reference that you can use to guide ongoing initiatives, shape strategy and reinforce your sustainability leadership long after the programme ends.
Past participant profile
A global learning experience with participants from around the world
Top industries
Top countries
Faculty
Management Practice Professor of Financial Economics & Policy, Director of the Cambridge Executive MBA Programme, Director of the Circular Economy Centre (CEC), Fellow of Clare Hall College, PhD (University of Nottingham)
Professor Soufani has published extensively in economics and finance in areas relating to financial management, corporate restructuring, M&A, private equity, venture capital a...
Featured guest speaker
Management Practice Associate Professor (Finance), Deputy Director of the Executive MBA Programme, Fellow of Hughes Hall, MPhil, PhD (University of Cambridge)
Dr Cole is a Senior Faculty in Management Practice (Finance) and the Deputy Director of the Executive MBA Programme at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. He is...
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a digital certificate of completion by Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.
Please note that this programme can be incorporated into the completion of the Cambridge General Management Certificate of Achievement (GMCA). It will be credited as an in-person two-day programme for the purpose of meeting the GMCA requirements. If you require more details on the GMCA and wish to speak to our advisers, please contact executive.education@jbs.cam.ac.uk.
Note: After successful completion of the online programme, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the programme. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.
FAQs
How do I know if this programme is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the programme landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the programme brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions about whether this programme is a good fit for you, please email us on the email address mentioned above learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated programme adviser will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this programme?
Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page, as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the programme web page, all programmes are taught in English, and proficiency in English is required.
What is the typical class profile?
More than 50 per cent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry and geography, leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
What other dates will this programme be offered in the future?
Check back at this programme web page, or email us to inquire if future programme dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
How much time is required each week?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this programme to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities, including:
Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific programme schedule
Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
Completing your final project, if required
The programme is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on programme activities.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 per cent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the programme would be made available to students at the commencement of the programme. However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes, the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner,the cost of which is already included in the overall programme fee of the programme.
A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other programme participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the programme. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life.
This programme is scored as a pass or no-pass. Participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter or resume and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count towards a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and programme materials for 12 months following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this programme?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the programme content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access programme content from a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you can view them later.
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the programme without missing any of the core programme material or learnings.
What is the programme fee and what forms of payment do you accept?
The programme fee is noted at the top of this programme web page and usually referenced in the programme brochure as well.
Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this programme web page next to FEE).
If you apply by an early deadline, you may receive a programme fee benefit. If you believe you may qualify for other discounts, please check with your programme adviser to confirm the applicable discount that will provide the greatest benefit and if there are specific terms and conditions for use. For more information, please connect with a learning adviser or email learner.success@emeritus.org
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the programme currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your programme adviser or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us with the details of the programme you are interested in, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific programme you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the programme fee in instalments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the programme refund and deferral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Programme Advisers or call us at +44 203 479 4043 (UK) / +1 315 819 0707(US) / +65 3163 8580 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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