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The CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Sustainability Leadership is designed for senior leaders and directors ready to shape sustainability at the highest level. This certificate challenges you to think towards long-term, systemic change that positions your organisation as a responsible leader in a shifting global landscape.
As businesses face increasing pressure to operate responsibly, developing the skills to lead sustainable change from within has become a distinct advantage. A mid-level course of few modules, you’ll uncover what it truly means to lead on sustainability at the highest level. By mastering the principles behind strategic leadership and understanding effective strategies to lead the change across your organisation, you will have the confidence to drive forward-thinking initiatives that deliver both environmental impact and organisational value.
Backed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), this globally recognised certificate sets a strong foundation for responsible leadership—and a clear path toward the Level 7 Diploma.
The CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Sustainability Leadership is a recognised qualification designed to equip professionals with the skills needed to lead sustainable change within organisations. It is intended for current and aspiring senior managers who want to embed sustainability into core business practices and lead with both impact and integrity.
You'll gain practical tools to align business performance with environmental, social, and governance priorities—equipping you to lead with both impact and integrity. Mapped to the CMI Professional Standards and reflecting global sustainability goals, the course develops skills in areas such as ethical leadership, stakeholder engagement, risk governance, and change management.
Recognised by employers and relevant across industries, this certificate positions you as a forward-thinking leader—ready to navigate complexity, champion sustainable transformation, and deliver long-term value in a rapidly evolving world.
CMI graduates achieve remarkable things:
Full access for 10 months from enrolment.
The CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Sustainability Leadership is designed for senior leaders and executives who want to lead strategic sustainability initiatives and embed responsible business practice across their organisation.
For Learners
Organisational
CMI (the Chartered Management Institute) is the UK's only chartered professional body focused exclusively on management and leadership. CMI sets the benchmark for management practice, and its qualifications are approved and regulated by Ofqual.
CMI qualifications run from Level 3 up to Level 8, offering a clear progression route from first-line management to senior strategic leadership. Learners also gain professional CMI membership and the opportunity to work towards Chartered Manager status — a distinction only a small proportion of UK managers hold.
Key reasons to choose CMI Qualifications:
To enrol in the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Sustainability Leadership, learners must meet the following entry requirements. Our friendly admissions advisors are happy to review your case on an individual basis.
Be 19 years of age and over.
A previous Level 6 qualification or relevant management experience is required.
Possess the ability to complete the Level 7 course.
The course is offered in English. You must possess considerable competency in English.
For each module you study, you will complete a written assignment of approximately 2,500 - 4,500 words and submit it online via your MyLearnDirect learning portal. The guideline word count for units within this qualification varies depending on the size and content of the unit, thus we kindly ask you to refer to your assessment brief and guidelines for each unit.
Learners must select at least two units to a minimum of 14 credits, 140 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT), and a minimum of 36 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) to achieve this qualification. Unit 730 is recommended for leaders new to sustainability. Units 733 and 712b are a barred combination, as are units 731 and 704b: learners may select either unit in each pair, but not both.
Learners must request before enrolment to interchange unit(s) other than the preselected units shown in the SBTL website because we need to make sure the availability of learning materials for the requested unit(s). SBTL will reject an application if the learning materials for the requested interchange unit(s) are unavailable.
Unit Aim
This unit introduces strategic managers and leaders to the principles of strategic vision and purpose in the context of sustainability leadership. In an era of climate change, resource scarcity and changing consumer expectations, leaders who prioritise sustainability can drive innovation, reduce risk and unlock new opportunities. Learners will explore the global sustainability challenges that affect organisations, along with the frameworks and leadership strategies used to respond to them.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit enables strategic managers and leaders to lead and implement an effective sustainability strategy. A well-executed strategy helps organisations navigate an eco-conscious market, reduce their environmental footprint, strengthen social responsibility and meet changing regulatory standards and stakeholder expectations. Learners will determine sustainability priorities, identify barriers and opportunities, and evaluate the implementation and impact of an organisational sustainability strategy.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit enables strategic managers and leaders to drive strategic change for sustainability. Systemic change addresses the root causes of environmental and social challenges, creating more resilient, equitable and sustainable frameworks that go beyond incremental improvements. Learners will articulate the rationale for strategic change in a sustainability context and develop a plan to support it.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit enables strategic managers and leaders to design and carry out a strategic sustainability project. Targeted projects drive measurable environmental, social and economic benefits, support long-term sustainability goals, and encourage innovation, resource efficiency and stakeholder engagement. Learners will explore research design to inform the project, undertake it, and reflect on its outcomes.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit gives leaders an in-depth understanding of how to lead and develop people to drive the sustainability agenda. Placing people and the wider environment at the heart of the organisation creates a regenerative culture that supports sustained, equitable performance and positive social impact. Learners will explore leadership theories, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and long-term policy and strategy. They will propose a leadership and sustainable development strategy that values people, protects natural capital, and optimises performance.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit gives leaders an understanding of collaboration and partnerships as ways to scale sustainable impact. Partnerships drive sustainable innovation and research, and are often essential for winning tenders that require transparent, ethical and low-carbon supply chains. Learners will critically assess the scope and value of these arrangements, evaluate how organisational, legal and environmental governance frameworks affect them, and present a rationale for a partnership that addresses a specific sustainability challenge.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit enables leaders to develop and influence an organisation’s strategic direction through a meaningful, resilient strategy that delivers positive outcomes alongside economic value. Learners will appraise approaches to developing future-proof, regenerative strategies, then develop an organisational strategy that achieves a business goal while respecting planetary boundaries. They will also propose how to implement and monitor the strategy’s overall impact using suitable metrics.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit gives leaders an in-depth understanding of the scope, complexity and role of finance in driving an organisation’s sustainable transition and resilience. In a climate-conscious economy, finance affects long-term value, environmental resilience, access to impact investment, and profitability. Learners will critically assess methods for analysing financial data to make strategic decisions, and learn to use the finance function to attract sustainable capital, consider ESG factors and align financial strategy with sustainability goals.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit gives leaders an in-depth understanding of strategic risk management through a sustainability lens. Leading risk well safeguards an organisation’s long-term prosperity, social contribution, and reputation, and involves managing systemic and non-financial threats alongside immediate needs. Learners will critically appraise strategic risk with a focus on ESG risks, and assess approaches such as sustainability scenario planning and ethical supply chains, along with the leadership skills needed to embed them.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit encourages leaders to see the strategic management of data and information as an opportunity for sustainable transformation, not just a compliance challenge. Strategic data supports complex decisions and long-term value creation. Learners will critique strategies for managing data effectively, including ethical data governance and bringing non-financial data such as ESG metrics into traditional business intelligence.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit equips strategic managers and leaders to develop and implement sustainable marketing strategies that balance organisational success with reducing environmental impact and increasing social value. Markets are increasingly shaped by conscious consumption and sustainability performance. Learners will explore theoretical frameworks, analyse changing market environments and digital advances, and evaluate their organisation’s market position to create strategies that meet stakeholder needs.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit equips strategic managers and leaders to develop and conduct strategic management projects that build sustainability principles into their work. Organisations are increasingly challenged to balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility. The unit provides the tools and frameworks to champion sustainability through impactful projects that create long-term value and responsible practice.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit equips strategic leaders to critically appraise the research process, including philosophies, methodologies and design, in the context of strategic sustainability. Meaningful research can unlock solutions to complex problems and support sustainable innovation. Learners will conduct applied research that informs decision-making, identifies opportunities for sustainable growth and change, and addresses environmental, social and governance challenges.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit supports leaders to understand approaches to personal and professional development, especially in the context of sustainability. Learners will critically reflect on the skill set and mindset needed to develop as a sustainability-conscious strategic leader, and assess their own personal, interpersonal and professional competencies and behaviours. They will use this reflection to create a meaningful development plan with a strong focus on sustainability.
Learning Outcomes:
Unit Aim
This unit enables professional managers and leaders to understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in an organisational context. CSR and sustainability are closely linked to organisational accountability, and approaches vary with an organisation’s type, purpose and governance. Learners will assess the enablers, constraints and barriers to success, present a case for organisational commitment, identify approaches to implementation and develop strategies to gain ongoing stakeholder commitment.
Learning Outcomes:
Our online learning gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, with rich online learning resources and study guides developed by our expert tutors to provide structure, keep you motivated, and strengthen your understanding of the subject.
If you want a high level of structured guidance and support but can't attend scheduled live classes, then online learning is the perfect study method. You study at your own pace and set your own flexible schedule. We are dedicated to offering extensive learning support to simplify your learning journey, so we provide the option to schedule online personal meetings with your tutor at your convenience.
Our simplified online learning facilitates you to achieve high career growth without stress and dilemmas.
We are committed to providing unwavering support throughout your educational journey. Our dedicated support team is a crucial link between tutors and learners, ensuring that guidance, assessment feedback, and additional study assistance are delivered promptly and effectively.
We focus on providing a sophisticated, flexible learning experience. Our courses are designed with 100% online learning so your studies fit around your full-time work and other commitments, letting you study from anywhere, at your own pace.
You'll also get dedicated tutor support, scheduled personal tutor meetings whenever you need them, and access to our Dedicated Support Desk portal to raise queries or request a call back.
Our online learning gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, with rich online learning resources and study guides developed by our expert tutors to provide structure, keep you motivated, and strengthen your understanding of the subject.
If you want a high level of structured guidance and support without attending scheduled classes, then online learning is the perfect study method for you. You study at your own pace and set your own flexible schedule. Our simplified online learning helps you achieve high career growth without stress and dilemmas.
You can schedule online personal tutor meetings whenever you want, which will help you get the most out of your studies and provide guidance, support and encouragement. When it comes to support, we have a dedicated support desk team so you can raise queries, request tutor support, and ask for a callback whenever you need guidance or assistance.
You will have access to unlimited dedicated tutor support through our centralised Support Desk portal. You can schedule personal tutor meetings whenever needed and raise queries via the MyLearnDirect learning portal at any time.
What are the payment methods?
The fee can be paid in either of the following methods:
Debit Card/Credit Card
PayPal
Bank Transfer
Do you offer a monthly payment plan?
Yes. We offer flexible, low-cost and interest-free payment plans across all our courses and study methods, so you can spread the cost monthly and focus on learning.
Can I interchange the units?
As an approved centre, SBTL preselects the units for each course from those listed in the awarding body's specification, and the preselected units are shown on every course's details page.
If you'd like different units, you must request this before enrolment so we can confirm the learning resources are available. Once enrolment is complete, unit interchange requests can no longer be accommodated.
What are the steps I need to follow once I decide to join you?
What does the allocated tutor provide to me?
What is the difference between Award, Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma?
CMI courses come in four different sizes. The size depends on the depth of the qualification and the duration you take to complete it.
CMI is regulated by four regulators: Ofqual in England, CCEA in Northern Ireland, Qualifications Wales, and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) — meaning all qualifications awarded by CMI are regulated.
A CMI qualification is the perfect choice if you want to build or advance your career in sustainability leadership. CMI qualifications symbolise a global benchmark for excellence, as CMI is the only Chartered professional body in Management and Leadership. By studying a CMI course, you join a network of over 143,000 members globally, gaining access to the mentoring, support, and globally recognised learning resources that come with CMI membership.
The CMI qualifications range from level 2 to level 8, and different levels are related to the learners' career positions, roles and responsibilities. So, the course content will provide the required skills and knowledge for your current and future positions, roles, and responsibilities. Below is a broad overview of the qualifications and the roles that they cover in each qualification.
CMI Level 3 in Sustainability
Designed for practising or aspiring team leaders and supervisors, this qualification develops an awareness of sustainability practices in the organisation and how this impacts day-to-day activities.
CMI Level 5 in Sustainability Management and Leadership
Designed for practising or aspiring middle/operational managers and leaders responsible for translating strategy into plans and implementing strategy through teams.
CMI Level 7 in Strategic Sustainability Leadership
Designed for practising or aspiring strategic managers and leaders accountable for setting the strategic direction of an organisation.
Yes, our course fee is all-inclusive, and there are no hidden fees. If you complete your course within your standard support period, without needing a resubmission or a printed certificate, you pay nothing beyond the course fee. Your course fee covers awarding body registration, full course access, tutor support, learning materials, one formative review per module, assessment marking and your digital certificate.
Additional fees apply only in specific optional or performance-based situations:
The amount of each fee is set out in detail in our Terms and Conditions, which you review and accept before purchasing your course.
Your digital certificate is included in your course fee, with no shipping charge. If you request a printed certificate where the awarding body offers one, a shipping fee applies:
Shipping fees are set out in our Terms and Conditions, which you review and accept before purchasing your course.