Building Sustainable Business Strategy

Is sustainability a side topic in your organisation - or a defining force behind its future success?

In a world of accelerating expectations from investors, customers, regulators, and society, sustainability is no longer a standalone initiative. It is a strategic imperative that influences growth, innovation, competitiveness, and long-term value creation.

The Building Sustainable Business Strategy course empowers leaders to transform sustainability from a reporting requirement into a business advantage. Learn how to develop a sustainability-driven strategy that strengthens organisational resilience, unlocks new opportunities, and creates meaningful impact for both business and society.

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Practical info

Course Date

04.09.2026 - 16.10.2026

Capacity

5 ECTS (130 academic hours, of which 24 in classroom and 106 individual work)

Lecturers

Natalja Piiskoppel

Language

English

Method

In class

Prerequisites

To ensure effective participation and meaningful peer learning, applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
At least 3 years of work experience in business or entrepreneurship
For non-Estonian residents: EU citizenship or a valid temporary residence permit that allows study in Estonia.

Location

EBS University, A.Lauteri 3, Tallinn

Price

€940

Strategic Sustainability Management and ESG Implementation in Practice

Defining Sustainability Strategy is a practice-oriented master’s level course that provides a comprehensive understanding of ESG principles and their integration into organisational strategy. Participants learn to assess sustainability-related risks and opportunities, navigate evolving regulations (including EU initiatives such as CSDDD), and design systematic action plans that support long-term business success.

The course combines theory and practice through lectures, case studies, group discussions, and a real-world project that culminates in the creation of a collaborative Sustainability Playbook. Upon completion, participants are able to align environmental, social, and governance considerations with business objectives and communicate sustainability strategies clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.

Who is Building Sustainable Business Strategy intended for?

The course is designed for master’s level students and professionals who aim to connect sustainability with strategic management and business decision-making. It is particularly suitable for future leaders, consultants, business developers, and sustainability-oriented professionals who want to understand the impact of ESG on organisational competitiveness and long-term success. Prior ESG work experience is not required; however, an interest in strategic management, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business models is beneficial.

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The course takes place only on Fridays and/or Saturdays from September 4 to October 16, 2026.

Topics Covered

Why is this important?
Sustainability and ESG are no longer merely reputation-related topics but strategic management issues that influence competitiveness, access to capital, and regulatory compliance. Leaders must understand how evolving expectations and regulations are reshaping business models and why sustainability makes strong business sense.

What will happen?
In the opening session, we map key sustainability and ESG trends in both global and European contexts. We explore the business case for sustainability – why and how it creates organisational value. Through practical examples, we examine companies that have embedded sustainability into their strategic objectives and establish a shared understanding of the course framework and expectations.

Why is this important?
A clear ambition and focus form the foundation of any effective strategy. Without a defined direction and objectives, sustainability initiatives risk becoming fragmented and failing to support long-term organisational development.

What will happen?
Participants form teams and select a practical case on which to build their Sustainability Playbook. Teams define the sustainability ambition of their chosen organisation and identify key challenges and opportunities. ESG themes are connected to business context and strategic priorities.

Why is this important?
The impact of a strategy depends on its implementation. A sustainability vision must translate into clear objectives, measurable indicators, and concrete actions embedded in everyday management practices.

What will happen?
Teams develop a strategic roadmap for their case, including goal setting, prioritisation, and action planning. We examine risks, opportunities, and performance metrics, linking them to long-term business success. The focus is on practical tools that make strategy actionable and results-oriented.

Why is this important?
A sustainability strategy cannot function in isolation; it must be integrated across organisational functions and communicated clearly to both internal and external stakeholders. Effective communication reduces the risk of greenwashing and strengthens trust.

What will happen?
We analyse how sustainability strategy connects with key business functions such as HR, marketing, and finance. Participants practice shaping clear messages and presenting strategy to different stakeholder groups. Teams refine their Sustainability Playbook, ensuring coherence, clarity, and impact.

Why is this important?
Leading sustainability requires strategic thinking, resilience, and collaboration skills. Leaders play a central role in shaping an organisational culture that supports long-term, responsible growth.

What will happen?
Teams present their completed Sustainability Playbook and share key insights and lessons learned. Participants receive feedback from faculty and peers. We conclude by discussing leadership challenges in sustainability roles, the required mindset, and professional development pathways to succeed in responsible leadership positions.

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
At least 3 years of work experience in business or entrepreneurship
Valid temporary residence permit or EU citizenship.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will:

Have a clear understanding of the development of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors and the evolving sustainability landscape, including the regulatory impacts of the CSDDD and other European Union initiatives.
Understand the key sustainability strategy issues affecting businesses, along with the associated risks, opportunities, and mitigation measures.
Be able to develop sustainability-focused business strategies and action plans by seamlessly integrating sustainability factors into business processes and evaluating their impact on the company’s long-term success.
Be capable of communicating corporate sustainability strategies accurately and clearly, both within the organization and to external stakeholders.

Course completion requirements

To successfully complete the course and receive a certificate, participants must actively participate in sessions, complete independent assignments, and submit a final presentation

Assessment criteria

Evaluation includes active participation in class, one individual assignment, and a team-based final project (Sustainability Playbook).

Assessment is based on the achievement of the learning outcomes and the student’s ability to connect ESG principles with strategic management and practical business decision-making.

Learning Enviroment

The courses takes place at EBS’s modern campus in Tallinn, Lauteri 3. Students have access to ergonomic classrooms, the EBS library, and the cloud-based Canvas learning platform. The study process is supported by online tools such as Canvas and MS Teams. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

Course Instructor

Natalja Piiskoppel

Guest lecturer

Natalja Piiskoppel brings over 20 years of experience as a strategic consultant to top global organizations renowned for their sustainability, including LEGO, Diageo, The North Face, BMW, and Ferrero. With core expertise in global marketing, brand communication, growth strategies, and change management, Natalja is a passionate advocate for active social and environmental responsibility. She enriches her courses with practical case studies drawn from her extensive global and Scandinavian experience.

Currently, Natalja is an Executive Director at WPP, a Global WPP Sustainability Advocate, and a member of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) global community (being a CISL graduate). She is based in Copenhagen.

Certificate

Participants who complete the course will receive a continuing education certificate with ECTS credits.

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Lecturers

Natalja Piiskoppel

Method

Students meet with the instructor in class at regularly scheduled times.

Payment options

Payment by invoice or bank link
Would you like to split the invoice? Part can be issued to a company and the rest to an individual.