Profile
In the modern age, as our planet faces unprecedented challenges, the importance of nature-based solutions "” sustainable strategies that harness and bolster ecosystems for the mutual benefit of both humanity and the environment "” cannot be overstated. These approaches have gained global prominence as an answer to the pressing issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and escalating socio-economic disparities.
This course seeks to immerse learners in the world of nature-based solutions, spotlighting the pivotal role that the corporate sector can play. Given businesses' multifaceted relationship with the environment, from their impact through pollution and degradation to their reliance on ecosystems for resources, understanding these sustainable strategies is crucial.
Learners will gain insights into the application of nature-based solutions across diverse sectors, including urban planning and water resource management. Armed with this knowledge, learners can critically evaluate the potential of such solutions within their respective industries.
Central to our exploration are two foundational frameworks: the Standard for Nature-Based Solutions set out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Science-Based Targets for Nature Guidance tailored for businesses. These will be contextualised with tangible, real-world examples, providing a robust understanding of the topic.
This course is offered as a bundle of 7 courses under NTU's FlexiMasters in Sustainability Business Ecosystems programme. The course can be taken when you are accepted into the part-time FlexiMasters programme. Refer to the FlexiMasters programme here -> https://www.ntu.edu.sg/business/admissions/NEE/FlexiMasters/fleximasters-in-sustainability-business-ecosystems
What You'll Learn
The objective of this course is to equip learners with the knowledge of nature-based solutions and its applications in sectors, such as urban development and water resources management, which learners can reflect on the potential for their own industry and businesses.
Upon completion of the course, learners should be able to:
- Define nature-based solutions and summarise their social and environmental benefits.
- Explain the relevance of nature-based solutions to businesses by giving examples of implementation in different sectors.
- Identify steps businesses can take to promote and implement nature-based solutions in practice.
Minimum Entry Requirement
- Sustainability managers and aspiring managers who act as a Change Agent and point of contact for sustainability-related matters, both internally and externally, identifying issues and suggesting solutions from a holistic perspective and acknowledging that the social, legal, and economic aspects of issues are as important as those relating to science and technology.
- Managers and aspiring managers who undertake sustainability reporting and participate in ESG rating exercises and assist in coordinating sustainability effort and projects across business units (BUs).
- Consultants and aspiring consultants who have interests in pursuing a career in sustainability.