Oxford Sustainable Business Programme

This programme is delivered in partnership between Oxford Saïd and Oxford University's Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, and leverages world-leading research by Oxford Net Zero.

About the programme

Decarbonisation is the biggest innovation opportunity of our time.

With 66% of the world's largest 2,000 companies already committed to net zero targets, and mid-century net zero commitments covering 92% of global GDP, the urgency for action is undeniable. However, with only 4% of current company net zero commitments meeting key integrity criteria, it is evident that a strategic and rigorous approach grounded in a strong business case is required for companies to lead.

This executive-level programme, developed for leaders across functional areas, will provide comprehensive guidance on target setting, delivery pathways and robust transition planning, enabling businesses to not only meet net zero goals but also seize strategic growth opportunities along the way.

Beyond compliance

Learn how to proactively turn sustainability goals and regulatory expectations of businesses into strategic advantage
Towards innovation

Discover how sustainability can fuel new products, services and market opportunities
Towards a resilient future

Master core skills to build strong teams and work across silos to future-proof your business

As emergent governance and regulations intensify scrutiny on the quality of targets and delivery pathways, businesses must be fully equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate this landscape effectively.

Our programme is here to support you every step of the way.

The programme is designed with three unique pillars:

Innovation and strategy: Actionable, world-leading insights on change management, innovation and opportunities associated with decarbonisation for your company
Science: Cutting-edge knowledge of core principles including credible approaches to offsets and transition planning
Standards and regulatory context: Deep-dive on the trends in expectations of companies and how you can lead

This programme includes the development of an action plan to enable you to take your learning back to your organisation.

We welcome individual participants on this programme. In addition, companies are encouraged to send between one and three participants from different teams to enable cross-functional collaboration for true business transformation. This will be reflected in group participants’ learning designs.

Programme outline

Day 1 - Business and sustainability: core foundations

Understand the science of climate change and why it matters for businesses
Understand the landscape of net zero-related policy and regulation
Introduction to working groups and capstone project: developing a personalised action plan

Day 2 - From decarbonisation to business transformation

Understand the tools of leading for innovation
Examine sustainable business models
Map your current business
Ask the experts – what does this mean for my business?

Day 3 - Change management: alignment and collaboration

Learn to build alignment in cross-functional teams for effective implementation
Navigate trade-offs in change management
Deep dive on your personal action plan

Day 4 - Understanding context: scenarios, finance, regulations

Identify leading tools and practices and how to implement them in your business
Articulate the role of emerging standards and reporting for your company
Ask the experts – deep dives on actionable topics

Day 5 - Beyond net zero: creating a regenerative future

Formulate an action plan for your business’ sustainable transformation
Evaluate your strategy: your net zero business or your business for a net zero world?
Beyond decarbonisation: what is coming next?
Presentation by peer working groups of capstone project plan

Benefits

To you

Gain cutting-edge expertise on business decarbonisation and net zero
Identify key opportunities for innovation and transformation within your business
Build a plan to work cross-functionally to solve implementation challenges
Become confident that you can lead your business through large strategic transformations

To your business

Identify strategic priorities and allocate resources effectively
Successfully navigate the complex and changing landscape of net zero and decarbonisation at scale
Build compelling plans and communicate effectively to stakeholders across the business
Action plan for your organisation to move from decarbonisation to business transformation

Faculty

The programme has been convened by Mary Johnstone-Louis from Saïd Business School and Sam Fankhauser and Alexis McGivern from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.