Certificate in Business Sustainability (CAS)
Certificate
in Business
Sustainability
(CAS)
Define your personal positive impact
The Certificate in Business Sustainability (CAS) is a part-time program aimed at equipping professionals with the necessary skills to lead sustainability initiatives within their organizations.
This certification covers various aspects of sustainability, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, and prepares participants to address global challenges while seizing business opportunities.
Message Us
This program is crafted
for professionals who:
need to navigate the complexities
of sustainability in their roles
aim to discover strategic innovation
opportunities within sustainability
want to integrate sustainability
into their future career paths
are driven to amplify their positive impact
based on experience and passion
Over the past decade of running the sustainability leadership program,
we've learned one key lesson:
everyone begins from a different starting point and has unique needs.
However, it's precisely this diversity of perspectives
that elevates the learning experience.
Find out more about our former students by downloading the PDF:
This Sustainability
Leadership Program
is offered by the
Institute for
Business Sustainability
and is endorsed
by our partners:
This Sustainability Leadership Program is
offered by the
Institute for Business Sustainability
and is endorsed by our partners:
Program
Overview
Program Overview
In an era where sustainability is a crucial aspect of business strategy, the Certificate in Business Sustainability (CAS) offers professionals the tools and knowledge to make a significant impact.
This program, provided by the Institute for Business Sustainability, is designed for changemakers looking to integrate sustainable practices into their careers and organizations.
The CAS program is structured around six modules, each focusing on a different aspect of sustainability.
The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating busy professionals with a combination of in-person and online sessions.
Participants can choose to take individual modules or complete all five for a comprehensive understanding of sustainability.
Shape
your role as a
Chief
Sustainability
Officer
Adding Purpose
to Your Career
Equip yourself with future-relevant knowhow and expertise to incorporate strategic sustainability competencies into your professional portfolio. Our program is designed to empower you with the skills needed to drive sustainable change in your career and organization.
New Regulations
Require a
Strategic Oversight
Navigating emerging national and EU regulations can create pressure and confusion for any organization. This program offers strategic clarity and focus, helping you understand and adapt to new regulatory landscapes effectively.
Join Our
Strong Network
of Changemakers
By joining our program, you gain access to a vibrant network of alumni who regularly discuss relevant sustainability topics. This network provides invaluable connections and insights, enhancing your learning experience and professional opportunities.
Business
Badly Needs
Sustainability
Expertise
A recent survey revealed that 91% of Swiss CEOs are uncertain about defining or implementing a Net Zero strategy. Our program addresses this critical gap, equipping you with the expertise that businesses urgently need.
Endorsements
by Leading
Sustainability
Organizations
Our program is endorsed by three key sustainability organizations: the WBCSD, UNGC Switzerland, and WWF Switzerland. The renowned sustainability experts Thomas Dyllick and Katrin Muff ensure unparalleled educational quality.
Shape your role as a
Chief Sustainability Officer
Adding Purpose to Your Career
Equip yourself with future-relevant knowhow and expertise to incorporate strategic sustainability competencies into your professional portfolio. Our program is designed to empower you with the skills needed to drive sustainable change in your career and organization.
New Regulations Require a Strategic Oversight
Navigating emerging national and EU regulations can create pressure and confusion for any organization. This program offers strategic clarity and focus, helping you understand and adapt to new regulatory landscapes effectively.
Join Our Strong Network of Changemakers
By joining our program, you gain access to a vibrant network of alumni who regularly discuss relevant sustainability topics. This network provides invaluable connections and insights, enhancing your learning experience and professional opportunities.
Business Badly Needs Sustainability Expertise
A recent survey revealed that 91% of Swiss CEOs are uncertain about defining or implementing a Net Zero strategy. Our program addresses this critical gap, equipping you with the expertise that businesses urgently need.
Endorsements by Leading Sustainability Organizations
Our program is endorsed by three key sustainability organizations: the WBCSD, UNGC Switzerland, and WWF Switzerland. The renowned sustainability experts Thomas Dyllick and Katrin Muff ensure unparalleled educational quality.
Newly Designed
for the Decade of Action
Our program is tailored for the current era, building on previous successes and incorporating essential elements needed until 2030.
It offers a concise yet comprehensive curriculum designed to maintain your work-life balance.
The program comprises five essential modules, resulting in a 10 ECTS CAS.
2-day modules
Around Zürich or online
On Thursdays and Fridays
5h pre-reading & 15h homework per module
Interactive and
dynamic learning
- Total program workload: 180-200 hours (5 modules @ 16h + 20h work = 180h)
- Program Fee: Fr. 9,000 (includes course material, lunch, and refreshments)
- Single modules available at Fr. 2,000 each, with the option to accumulate towards a CAS
Newly
Designed
for the Decade
of Action
Our program is tailored for the current era, building on previous successes and incorporating essential elements needed until 2030.
It offers a concise yet comprehensive curriculum designed to maintain your work-life balance.
The program comprises five essential modules, resulting in a 10 ECTS CAS.
2-day
modules
-
Around Zürich
or online
-
On Thursdays
and Fridays
-
5h pre-reading
& 15h homework
per module
-
Interactive and
dynamic learning
- Total program workload: 180-200 hours (5 modules @ 16h + 20h work = 180h)
- Program Fee: Fr. 9,000 (includes course material, lunch, and refreshments)
- Single modules available at Fr. 2,000 each, with the option to accumulate towards a CAS
Hear From Former Participants
to dare and explore my strengths and
"tame" my weaknesses.
participants and the amazing support of the program team made the real difference.
Sustainability Leadership
in 5 Modules
Sustainability
Leadership
in 5 Modules
THE POSITIVE IMPACT MINDSET: FROM RISK TO OPPORTUNITY
In this decade, it’s crucial to prioritize environmental, social, and economic challenges by understanding the success factors of positive impact organizations.
Recognizing sustainability as both a risk and an opportunity can lead to exploring new business opportunities emerging from global challenges. This requires a transformative shift from a traditional mindset to one focused on positive impact, fostering innovation and resilience.
- Prioritize environmental, social and economic challenges in this decade
- Discover the success factors of positive impact organizations
- Understand how to see sustainability as a risk and an opportunity
- Explore business opportunities that arise from global challenges
- Unpack the transformation from a traditional to a positive impact mindset
Prof. Dr. Katrin Muff
(Program Director, the IBS)
Prof. Dr. Thomas Dyllick
(Program Directors, the IBS)
ESG Measurement and Reporting: the necessary Basics
To gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability reporting, you will explore various tools, standards, and ratings used to evaluate and communicate sustainability performance. You will learn how to measure and ensure consistent performance, assess the overall impact, and account for it effectively. Additionally, you will benchmark different reporting tools and evaluate harmonization approaches to streamline reporting processes. Finally, you will review how to maintain a consistent communication strategy through effective sustainability reporting.
- Understand sustainability reporting tools, standards and ratings
- Learn how to measure and assure a consistent sustainability performance
- Assess and account for sustainability performance and impact
- Benchmark and evaluate harmonization approaches among reporting tools
- Review sustainability reporting for a consistent communication strategy
Dr. Barbara Dubach
(CEO, engeability)
Emerging Regulations: Source for Impact Innovation
To navigate the complex landscape of emerging regulations, this module will provide insights into the impact of both national and EU regulations on businesses. You will assess how these regulations influence business strategies and explore case studies showcasing successful sustainable product innovations. Additionally, you will review the challenges associated with implementing innovative business models and discuss the broader difficulties businesses encounter when integrating sustainability into their operations. This comprehensive understanding will equip you to leverage regulations as a source for impactful innovation.
- Understand the impact of regulations, from a national and EU perspective
- Assess consequences of regulations for business strategy
- Explore case studies of truly sustainable product innovation
- Review implementation challenges of business model innovation
- Discuss the challenges that business faces when integrating sustainability
Prof. Dr. Thomas Dyllick
(Program Directors, the IBS)
Stefan Gara (Member of the Vienna State Parliament and Municipal Council)
Social Entrepreneurship: Empowering your Purpose
This module delves into the heart of social entrepreneurship, emphasizing how businesses can drive social change while remaining financially sustainable. You will learn the core principles that define social entrepreneurship and explore successful models and case studies that demonstrate these principles in action. The module will guide you in identifying opportunities to create social impact through innovative business approaches. You will also develop strategies for measuring and scaling social impact, ensuring your efforts are effective and sustainable. Finally, you will examine various funding sources and financial models tailored for social enterprises, empowering you to turn your purpose-driven ideas into reality.
- Experience social entrepreneurship and (social) intrapreneurship
- Work on an applied project to think and act as an entrepreneur
- Differentiate between organizational implementation approaches
- Identify pitfalls and successes for driving positive change in business
- Experience personal pathfinding and craft future projects
Christoph Inauen
(Co-Founder of Choba Choba chocolate)
SDG Innovation: from Net Zero to Net Positive
This module focuses on advancing sustainability goals from achieving net-zero emissions to creating a net-positive impact. You will learn to identify strategic drivers that promote sustainability within your organization, ensuring alignment with broader sustainability objectives. The module will cover key frameworks and tools essential for implementing effective sustainability practices. You will gain insights into stakeholder dynamics and how to manage them to foster collaboration and support. Additionally, you will learn to discern the appropriate innovation tools for various sustainability challenges. Finally, the module will equip you with best practice SDG strategy assessment and reporting tools to track and communicate your progress effectively.
- Identify strategic drivers for sustainability within a company
- Understand key frameworks and tools to implement sustainability
- Experience stakeholder dynamics and learn to manage these
- Understand when to use which innovation tools for sustainability
- Use best practice SDG strategy assessment & reporting tools
Prof. Dr. Katrin Muff
(Program Director, the IBS)
Dr. Barbara Dubach
(CEO, engeability)
Optional: personal career coaching (Choose Your Coach!)
This module is designed to provide personalized support and guidance for your career development. You will begin by defining your core values, purpose, and future ambitions to create a clear and inspiring career vision. Through targeted coaching, you will identify and overcome any obstacles that might hinder your success. Additionally, you will learn to translate your experience and strengths into a compelling CV that highlights your unique qualifications. Throughout this process, you will benefit from a dedicated coach who provides a transformative and supportive environment, empowering you to achieve your career goals.
- Define your own values, purpose and future ambition
- Clarify and overcome obstacles that may prevent success
- Translate your experience and strengths into an attractive CV
- Benefit from a partner holding a transformative space for you
Claudia Kranefuss (Leadership Coach and Co-founder, the How Company)
Mathias Morgenthaler (Autor, Coach und Gastgeber bei beruf-berufung.ch)
How to join the program
How to join
the program
REQUIREMENTS
University degree in any subject area or equivalent (for example: a Swiss
commercial apprenticeship plus 8 years of relevant working experience)
A minimum of 5 years of professional working experience
English proficiency (mother tongue, study or working language)
- Review the admission criteria above. Feel free to schedule a call: katrin@theibs.net
- Complete the online application process here (have ready up to date CV, copy of your passport or identity card, headshot photo
- We will update you on the eligibility of your profile and the status of your application within a week of receipt.
- When you are selected as a candidate, you will be invited for an online interview with one of the Program Directors. We will discuss your professional experience and motivation and assess your fit with the program.
- The Program Directors decide based on the information provided in the application and the interview. Admissions results are typically available within a week following the interview.
- Upon receiving your payment, we will confirm the Full Acceptance confirming your seat in the program.