 Why learn about sustainability? As far as challenges for society go, sustainability is about as big as they get. We're talking about living, thriving on a finite planet, about how we manage the Earth's resources as our aspirations increase and as the population grows, and how we ensure that current and future generations have opportunities for health, prosperity and a good quality of life. That challenge is not beyond our capabilities, but it does mean some big changes to our current way of thinking, and that won't happen until we better understand the nature of our interdependence with natural systems and how we can do things differently. We are already beginning to see innovations in the way businesses operate, rethinking design, manufacturing, supply chains, access to health care, mobility, the way we produce and use energy, and even questioning some basic assumptions about the purpose of business. At the same time, policymakers around the world are wrestling with ways to create enabling environments that support economic growth without undermining the environment and the fabric of society. You may see sustainability as being about the ways to achieve the fair and resilient use of natural resources, or about the prosperity of the nation's state and economic growth, or about the future of your business, or simply about ensuring that we leave a positive legacy for future generations. Whatever our personal motivations, we believe it's essential for individuals, and current and future leaders in particular, to develop broad awareness and understanding of the economic, social and environmental changes and challenges that we face, and the options that are open to us. Ultimately, sustainability boils down to the informed choices we make, as individuals, as professionals, and as members of society. What do we mean by sustainability? Your business may have a sustainability policy or strategy in place, and you may have already had training on the subject. You may also have read about sustainability challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality and food security in the media. The term sustainability is increasingly being used in all sorts of contexts. Sustainable agriculture, sustainable fish, sustainable cities, sustainable business, sustainable fashion, the list goes on and on. So what does it actually mean? The simple definition of sustainable is a resource or an activity that is able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. In business it has long been used in a financial sense to indicate that the company continues to make money. But it is also used to mean maintaining the earth's natural balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources and disrupting environmental systems such as the earth's climate. Another way of looking at sustainability is to see it as an approach to decision making. Which balances the needs of the current generations with the needs of future generations and the health of the natural environment. For example, achieving a sustainable food system means producing and consuming food in a manner which provides for the health of all societies today while retaining capacity to meet the future needs of a growing population and all the while preserving the natural systems upon which we so fundamentally depend. We hope that this programme will help to build your own insight and enhance your ability to make informed choices both within your personal and your professional life. The programme is designed to take you on a journey. You will start by considering your own perceptions of sustainability and exploring how sustainability relates to your personal values. You'll also be asked to test your insights into the changing global context within which business operates. You will then have the opportunity to explore the way in which sustainability relates to everyday products and to consider the implications for your company. The next step is to examine some of the key issues that pose significant risks and opportunities for business understanding the connections between these issues and reflecting on the implications for your organisation. This will include looking at the importance of engaging with the concerns and expectations of key stakeholders both within and beyond your organisation. Throughout this programme you will have the opportunity to consider the choices that you and your organisation need or want to make in response to sustainability challenges. In some instances the changes that need to be made may be relatively modest, but in others it may lead you to conclude that incremental change or business more or less as usual is insufficient. This could lead you to conclude that what is required is a more radical transformation of your organisation's business model if your organisation is to be both profitable and sustainable. We hope that this will be an enjoyable experience and that this programme will lead you to the realisation that working towards sustainability is a profound challenge for business but it is also an extraordinary opportunity.