Understand the science, economic impact, and policy implications of climate change
Identify and communicate the risks and opportunities posed by climate change across industries
Leverage insights from real-world examples to inform future strategies for adapting to climate change
Think critically and creatively to develop business solutions that mitigate climate change
Explore climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts’ scalability, costs, and benefits to inform decisions related to your industry and role
Who Will Benefit
Explore how companies in various industries are adapting to and preparing for climate change and leverage those insights to inform your organization’s strategy.
I am early in my career and am looking for a path to becoming a chief sustainability officer or sustainability manager with a company I can align my values with. This class seemed like the perfect opportunity to give me the right tools to learn more about this field.
Desirée Kaplan; Writer at Green Matters
92%
Developed increased confidence after completing their course
11X
Return on investment, with 24% of HBS Online learners reporting an average $20,466 salary increase
85%
Gained greater confidence in making business decisions
Certificate of Completion Boost your resume with a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online Earn by: completing this course
Certificate of Specialization Prove your mastery of business in society Earn by: completing any three courses within this subject area to earn a Certificate of Specialization
Understand climate change science fundamentals and how to assess economic and public policy issues associated with climate change.
Highlights
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Property Rights in Fisheries - Business and Climate Change
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Positive Feedback Loops - Business and Climate Change
Concepts
Course Introduction
The Science of Climate Change
The Economics and Public Policy of Climate Change
Featured Exercises
Analyze and reflect on greenhouse gas emissions rise and different industries’ contributions
Consider the implications of imperfect markets
Understand command, control, and market-based mechanisms for correcting market failures in the context of climate change
Module 2
Adapting to Climate Change
10-12 Hours
Identify physical manifestations of climate change, learn how businesses assess and manage the risks and opportunities associated with climate stressors, and evaluate adaptation measures currently being pursued in different industries and geographies worldwide.
Highlights
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Heat Impacts to Human Health - Business and Climate Change
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Flood Prevention Methods - Business and Climate Change
Concepts
Heat
Water Scarcity
Wildfires
Storms and Floods
Sea-Level Rise
Changes in the Ocean
Featured Exercises
Consider how your firm assesses climate change’s physical effects and its impact on suppliers, operations, and customers
Apply the three-step approach to climate adaptation
Identify challenges you could encounter proposing adaptation practices within your company
Reflect on the issues businesses may face when planning for stressors on a longer time horizon, such as rising sea levels or ocean changes
Module 3
Mitigating Climate Change
9-11 Hours
Explore the key processes involved in developing and scaling a mitigation strategy, assess emissions sources across a product’s lifecycle, and understand how technology to facilitate and accelerate mitigation can create business opportunities.
Highlights
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Carbon Footprinting - Business and Climate Change
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BMW's Approach to Emissions Reduction - Business and Climate Change
Concepts
New Belgium Brewing: Creating a Mitigation Strategy
The BMW Group: Reducing Emissions Across the Value Chain
Expanding Mitigation Possibilities
Business and Climate Change: Course Conclusion
Featured Exercises
Evaluate how your company measures its emissions and how it might reduce them
Identify key emissions sources and variables companies should consider when selecting a mitigation project to pursue
Assess the pros and cons associated with pursuing policy advocacy and using carbon offsets as mitigation strategies
Brainstorm how adaptation and mitigation progress might affect one another and synergies or tensions between the two
Led by World-Renowned HBS Faculty
HBS Online courses are taught by Harvard Business School faculty, bringing the renowned HBS classroom experience directly to you.
Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management
Experience
Business and Climate Change is an online course that will teach you to identify and communicate climate risks and opportunities and implement relevant strategies. You’ll understand the science, economic impact, and policy implications of climate change and explore how companies in various industries are adapting and preparing to do business in a changing climate.
Immersive Learning
Stay active by engaging in a new activity every three to five minutes.
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HBS Online courses allow you to immerse yourself in a dynamic, interactive learning experience. You’ll engage in a new activity every three to five minutes and apply your knowledge through polls, quizzes, and problem-solving exercises designed to accelerate and reinforce your learning.
Real-World Connections
Get social by collaborating and networking with a global community of peers before, during, and after the course. Learners who successfully complete an HBS Online program are added to the HBS Online Community's Official Networking Group and gain exclusive access to events and other networking opportunities.
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See how the HBS Online course platform engages you in social learning. You exchange ideas, offer input, and seek out viewpoints from a community of learners gathered from around the globe. In the process, you learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, and leave the program with a broader outlook on the world.
Real-World Cases
Immerse yourself in real-world, case-based examples brought to life by Harvard faculty and industry-leading experts from companies like Driscoll’s, Clearwater Seafoods, the BMW Group, PG&E Corporation, New Belgium Brewing, Gro Intelligence, and Indigo Carbon.
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Our courses allow you to apply your learning through real-world examples and experience Harvard Business School’s signature case method. Business leaders will share challenges they’ve faced. As the story unfolds, you’ll leverage course concepts, vital tools and frameworks, and the diversity of your peers’ perspectives to analyze the problem and determine a path forward.
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HBS Online courses allow you to immerse yourself in a dynamic, interactive learning experience. You’ll engage in a new activity every three to five minutes and apply your knowledge through polls, quizzes, and problem-solving exercises designed to accelerate and reinforce your learning.
Don’t be intimidated by the Harvard name or the price tag. Try one course; you’ll discover real value—not just in what you learn, but in the people you meet.
Ieva Ruža
Medical Doctor, Riga East Clinical University Hospital
Business and Climate Change FAQs
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In this guide, you’ll learn the skills needed to define your purpose, make the case for corporate social responsibility to internal stakeholders, further your education, and help enact change.
Bring HBS Online’s flexible, scalable, and high-impact learning experiences to your organization through shared learning and group discounts for teams of five or more.
