Cambridge: Dr Theo Hacking of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership stresses the importance of making sustainability education more accessible globally. With a new online postgraduate certificate programme, CISL aims to equip professionals with essential skills to meet increasing demand amid significant climate challenges.
Dr Theo Hacking, the director of postgraduate education at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), has emphasised the urgent need to make sustainability education more accessible to equip professionals with the necessary skills to address climate challenges effectively. Speaking to Eco-Business, he stated, “A region like Asia has huge challenges and massive opportunities. But without the right skills, it won’t be possible to address those challenges and harness those opportunities.”
CISL, established in 1988 as part of the University of Cambridge, offers various programmes aimed at enhancing leadership skills with a sustainable focus. This includes postgraduate offerings such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business (PCSB), which has been tailored to mid-career professionals since 1998. Hacking noted that the programme serves as a stepping stone towards a full master’s degree and plays a critical role in developing the future-fit skills required in today’s business environment.
A significant development is the launch of a fully online version of the PCSB set for September this year. The move to online learning is intended to broaden access for working professionals who face barriers such as family commitments and the logistical challenges associated with travel. Hacking explained that having online postgraduate courses from reputable institutions will help close the gap in demand for sustainability talent globally. According to LinkedIn’s Global Climate Talent Stocktake 2024, there has been an 11.6 per cent increase in global demand for green talent, while supply has only grown by 5.6 per cent.
The disparity in sustainability expertise is particularly notable in the UK, where 13 per cent of job roles require sustainability-related skills. However, growth has also been observed in countries like Portugal, Costa Rica, Singapore, and Luxembourg over the past two years. Failure to bridge this gap could push the shortfall of sustainability professionals to 101.5 per cent by 2050, thereby jeopardising sustainability goals.
In addition to the demand for skilled professionals, a 2023 study by Boston Consulting Group predicted a shortfall of seven million workers in the clean energy sector by 2030. This shortfall could subsequently lead to a rise in global temperatures, as progress in renewable energy construction faces delays.
The significance of CISL’s PCSB programme lies in its approach to learning, which combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. Hacking revealed that one individual assignment challenges students to identify sustainability opportunities within their organisations and create a strategic action plan for implementation. This hands-on approach not only benefits students but also their employers, fostering a culture of sustainability in business operations.
The fully online format of the PCSB is expected to expand access to sustainability education, particularly for regions like Asia, which have historically seen sustainability as a peripheral issue. Hacking noted the complexities within Asia—home to significant carbon emissions—and called it essential that the region be actively involved in developing robust sustainability measures.
He added, “By reducing some of these barriers with a fully online postgraduate certificate programme, students can benefit from a diverse cohort co-creating solutions to common challenges.”
As businesses increasingly recognise sustainability as integral to their operations—rather than merely a complementary aspect—they are urged to support employees engaging in sustainability studies. Hacking emphasised the need for enhanced educational frameworks within higher education institutions to prepare future leaders equipped to manage pressing environmental issues effectively.
CISL aims to not only improve individual leadership skills through its courses but also enhance students’ ability to implement actionable sustainability strategies in their organisations. Hacking expressed hope that more businesses would acknowledge the importance of developing sustainability skills as a strategic necessity for long-term success in an evolving market landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
