This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is the first of its kind in Canada. The program prepares students to become "green" business leaders and agents of change in the new green economic paradigm of People, Planet, and Profit.

The unique curriculum and delivery method emphasizes the eco-logic and eco-nomic relationships among business, organizations, planet, people, and communities. This program is ideally suited for individuals who are passionate about the environment, who currently own or manage an enterprise, entrepreneurs about to start a business or who are looking at green strategies for market advantage, government workers who are interested in greening their agency/workplace, and environmentalists looking for work in the growing area of best green business practices.

This two-semester, full-time, hybrid program is comprised of 20 hours of class time per week, including 10 hours of in-class courses and 10 hours of online courses.

Students design corporate ecological vision and mission statements, modelling corporate social responsibility and environmental responsibility for a future or existing business. Students create, analyze, and implement personal and corporate energy audits and develop criteria for green business report cards for an actual local business or organization. Students create green business ideas capitalizing on current green consumer trends and (green) business opportunities.

Students gain an understanding of the significance of the principles of deep ecology and Gaia consciousness as they pertain to one's core values. Students also learn the importance of nature as mentor, model, and measure, as indicated through biomimicry. Students participate in relevant fieldwork and client visits and engage with leading industry specialists, green business owners, and other community leaders in sustainability.

Graduates assist businesses/organizations to assess, strategize, plan, lead, and implement sustainable business practices. In addition, students learn skills to identify and effectively communicate ways to green a supply chain and to incorporate the cradle-to-cradle supply chain model into a business or organization. Students are able to recommend a specific green marketing mix for the private and public sector. Graduates can effectively communicate the business case for sustainability to the public, employees, employers, and other stakeholders. Graduates, as ecopreneurs, have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to create a formal green business plan that includes a detailed green marketing, green operational and green financial plan for a green business opportunity of choice.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are driven to act on their passion and concern for the environment by incorporating sustainability components into a current or future workplace or business.
• Are interested in learning the business skills needed to become a green business leader.
• Recognize the benefits of participating in innovative learning environments.
• Possess excellent time-management, communication, organization, and computer skills.
• Have work experience in business, management, or other relevant professional background.
• Have strong critical-thinking skills together with the desire to implement new models of sustainability for any workplace/organization.
• Appreciate working in a cooperative learning environment.
• Face business/organizational challenges as opportunities.
• Are enthusiastic and motivated to lead and effect transformational change.
• Are creative and innovative thinkers.
• Perform well individually and in teams.
• Believe that they can personally impact positive change in the workplace.