Online Masterclass
Nature Positive Business: Managing Risks, Seizing Opportunities
Overview
This 6-week course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to become effective leaders in a nature positive world. Each week will feature interactive online masterclasses, led by some of the most impactful professors in their respective fields, covering topics related to environmental sustainability and business practices, leadership and how to develop sustainable solutions from the shop floor to the boardroom.
The Masterclass is aimed at organisations and individuals, including sustainability experts aiming to deepen their understanding of the concepts and science underpinning nature positivity, and put their ideas into action, to create and deliver commercial benefits.
This programme has been designed for participants with a degree-level qualification or similar. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, no specific expertise is expected.
Course Content
Week 1: Defining ‘Nature Positive’ - Concepts and History
- Introduce the concept of nature positive and trace its origins
- Evolution of nature positive from earlier concepts, like Corporate Social Responsibility and the Triple Bottom Line
- Deep dive into the drivers behind the emergence of the concept of nature positive
- Relating nature positive to the concept of being ‘sustainable by default’
Week 2: The Global Nature Crisis and its Implications for Business
- Scale and severity of the global nature crisis, including biodiversity loss and habitat destruction
- Key drivers of the crisis, e.g. invasive species, changes in land and sea use, climate change, pollution, and exploitation of natural resources.
- Risks and opportunities of the crisis for businesses
Week 3: The Legal Landscape of Nature Positive Business: Regulations, Policies and Compliance
- Existing legal frameworks related to nature conservation and biodiversity protection
- Specific laws and regulations that businesses need to be aware of
- Emerging legal and policy trends in the field of nature positive
- The role of litigation and enforcement in ensuring corporate accountability for environmental impacts
Week 4: Nature, Human Health and the Business Imperative for Planetary Wellbeing
- Ways that human health depends on healthy ecosystems
- Health impacts of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation
- The concept of ‘planetary health’ and relevance to business
- Potential solutions and interventions that can promote both human health, ecosystem integrity and thriving businesses
Week 5: Nature Positive Strategies for Business: Assessment, Commitment and Transformation
- Focus on frameworks for developing and implementing nature positive strategies within businesses, e.g. four key actions outlined in PWC’s Nature Strategy Handbook (Assessment, Commitment, Transformation, Disclosure)
- Best practice nature positive approaches, e.g. Unilever, Gucci etc.
- Measuring and reporting on nature positive impacts, including tracking progress against targets, ensuring transparency and the role of external assurance
Week 6: The Future of Nature Positive Business: Leadership, Innovation, Technology and Collaboration
- Emerging trends and opportunities in nature positive business
- The role of technology, e.g. AI and machine learning, in developing and implementing nature positive solutions
- Importance of leadership and collaboration across sectors to scale up nature positive action
- Role of finance and investment in driving nature positive transformation, including mechanisms like biodiversity credits
Format and Time Commitment
Each week, participants will be expected to engage with two hours of learning content and relevant reading materials. This includes a live lecture and Q&A session (60 minutes in length) alongside recorded lectures, which can be viewed anytime.
Each week also features a one-hour virtual ‘office hours’ session with programme leads, for discussion around course materials, recent trends and further learning opportunities in an everchanging field.
Price and Certification
Upon completion of all course materials, participants will gain a digital certificate of completion and gain access to a network of Nature Positive Champions led by the University of Exeter.
Exeter Innovation
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