- Level Foundation
- Duration 9 hours
- Course by Duke University
-
Offered by
About
How can businesses and investors help fill the multi-trillion-dollar gap needed for sustainable development? Simply put: by incorporating sustainability and social impact factors on people and planet into management decisions. Through this course, anyone can learn to improve their organization's practice of impact measurement and management and align their ESG or impact activities and reporting with emerging global standards. Impact Measurement and Management for the SDGs is a collaboration between UNDP SDG Impact and the award-winning team at CASE at Duke University. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a steward of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were launched in 2015 and to which 193 countries have signed up to achieve by 2030. The SDGs are a shared plan to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the planet; they have become the world’s blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. But the public sector cannot meet those goals alone. Climate change, poverty, racial and gender equity, food, health, education, clean water − the list of challenges faced by people and planet is too long. Businesses and investors have stepped in to help. The course was designed around the fundamental elements of the SDG Impact Standards, the only management standards that embed sustainability at the core of an organization in the holistic way intended by the creators of the SDGs. The course demonstrates how the SDG Impact Standards help organizations align with responsible business principles, other standards, and best practices in impact management. In the course, you’ll learn to improve decision-making for positive impact on people and planet in line with the SDG Impact Standards and the Operating Principles for Impact Management. In the course, we have translated 4 universal practices of impact management into practical actions: SET STRATEGY, INTEGRATE, OPTIMIZE and REINFORCE. We teach the steps to implement these actions through short videos and lessons with concrete practical examples. Professionals who know how to apply these sustainable management standards are increasingly in demand by institutions globally as they work to improve their performance and reporting around ESG and impact management. If you work or wish to work within an enterprise, a corporation, a fund that manages assets or an asset owner or advisory that oversees investment assets, or if you just want to learn more about impact investing, ESG, social finance or corporate reporting, this course will help you master the core concepts and practices in impact management for the SDGs and other impacts from enterprise and investor perspectives. This course was written and is delivered by CASE Faculty Director Cathy Clark, and benefitted from extensive input from a larger team from UNDP, CASE, global academic advisors, and other experts. For a full list of acknowledgements, see: https://sites.duke.edu/casei3/for-practitioners/impact-measurement-and-management-for-the-sdgs-course/ Selected course materials have been translated into Baha Indonesia, Thai, and Vietnamese. Spanish and Turkish translations are coming soon. Please find links to these translations under the Resources tab once you are inside the course. This course was made possible by generous support from Norad.Modules
Welcome and Introduction to the Course
1
Discussions
- Introduce Yourself
5
Videos
- Welcome to IMM for SDGs
- SDG Impact Welcome
- Course Map: 4 Steps of Impact Measurement and Management
- 4 Personas: Where Do You Fit in the Capital Chain for Sustainable Development?
- The 5 Dimensions of Impact
2
Readings
- Warning re: Instructor Impersonation
- Translations available in select languages
About SDG Impact Standards
2
Readings
- What are the SDG Impact Standards?
- Aligning with Impact Standards: Which Ones?
Optional Resources
1
Readings
- Additional resources - IMM for the SDGs
Review
2
Assignment
- Week 1 Practice Quiz
- Week 1 Graded Quiz
1
Discussions
- Feedback on Week 1
Set SDG Strategy as an Enterprise
6
Videos
- Introduction to Setting SDG Strategy for Enterprises in 5 Steps
- Enterprise Step 1: Define Enterprise Purpose and Objectives
- Enterprise Step 2: Identify Sustainable Development Issues Relevant to Stakeholders
- Enterprise Step 3: Undertake Principled Prioritization of SDG outcomes
- Enterprise Step 4: Assign ABC Goal Type for each SDG Outcome
- Enterprise Step 5: Define Your Impact Thesis
Enterprise Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Set Strategy for Enterprises
- Set Strategy for Enterprises
Optional Enterprise Resources
2
Readings
- Template: Set SDG Strategy
- Additional Resources to Set Strategy for Enterprises
Set SDG Strategy as an Investor
7
Videos
- Introduction to Setting SDG Strategy for Investors in 5 Steps
- Investor Step 1: Define Fund’s or Portfolio’s Key Financial and Investment Objectives
- Investor Step 2: Identify Sustainable Development Issues Relevant to Stakeholders
- Investor Step 3: Undertake Principled Prioritization of SDG Outcomes
- Investor Step 4A: Assign ABC Goal Type
- Investor Step 4B: Set Investor Contribution Level
- Investor Step 5: Embed SDG Outcome Goals into Strategy
Investor Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Set Strategy for Investors
- Set Strategy for Investors
1
Discussions
- Feedback on Week 2
Optional Investor Resources
1
Videos
- Investment Impact Classes
2
Readings
- Integrating Sustainable Development into Investment Policy Guide
- Additional Resources to Set Strategy for Investors
Integrate SDGs into Enterprise Operations
4
Videos
- Introduction to Integrating SDG Strategy for Enterprises in 3 Steps
- Enterprise Step 1: Develop a “data for decision-making” mindset
- Enterprise Step 2: Decide what to measure from 15 Data Categories
- Enterprise Step 3: Develop Your IMM Process
Enterprise Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Integrate for Enterprises
- Integrate SDGs for Enterprises
Optional Enterprise Resources
5
Readings
- 15 Impact Data Categories Checklist
- Types of Impact Risk and Mitigation Options
- SDG Outcomes Map
- Impact Data Platforms for Enterprises
- Additional Integrate Enterprise Resources
Integrate SDGs into the Investment Process
4
Videos
- Introduction to Integrating SDG Strategy for Investors in 3 Steps
- Investor Step 1: Integrate Impact into the Investment Cycle
- Investor Step 2: Select Investments through Impact Diligence
- Investor Step 3: Prepare to Monitor SDG Impact
Investor Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Integrate for Investors
- Integrate SDGs for Investors
1
Discussions
- Feedback on Week 3
Optional Investor Resources
5
Readings
- Template: Integrate Impact into Your Investment Cycle
- 15 Impact Data Categories Checklist
- Types of Impact Risk and Mitigation Options
- Impact Data Platforms for Investors
- Additional Integrate Investor Resources
Optimize Enterprise SDG Impact
2
Videos
- Introduction to Optimize Enterprise SDG Impact
- Optimize Enterprise SDG Impact Steps 1-3
Enterprise Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Optimize for Enterprises
- Optimize for Enterprises
Optional Enterprise Resources
1
Readings
- Additional Resources to Optimize Enterprise Impact
Optimize Investor SDG Impact
2
Videos
- Introduction to Optimize Investor SDG Impact
- Optimize Investor SDG Impact Steps 1-3
Investor Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Optimize for Investors
- Optimize for Investors
1
Discussions
- Feedback on Week 4
Optional Investor Resources
1
Readings
- Additional Resources to Optimize Investor Impact
Reinforce Enterprise SDG Impact
2
Videos
- Introduction to Reinforce Enterprise SDG Impact
- Reinforce Enterprise SDG Impact Steps 1-3
Enterprise Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz: Reinforce for Enterprises
- Reinforce for Enterprises
Optional Enterprise Resources
1
Readings
- Additional Resources to Reinforce Enterprise Impact
Reinforce Investor SDG Impact
2
Videos
- Introduction to Reinforce Investor SDG Impact
- Reinforce Investor SDG Impact Steps 1-3
Investor Review
2
Assignment
- Practice Quiz for Reinforce for Investors
- Reinforce for Investors
1
Discussions
- Feedback on Week 5
Optional Investor Resources
1
Readings
- Additional Resources to Reinforce Investor Impact
Congratulations!
1
Readings
- Congratulations!
Auto Summary
Discover how businesses and investors can drive sustainable development in "Impact Measurement & Management for the SDGs." This course, led by CASE Faculty Director Cathy Clark, focuses on improving impact measurement and management practices, aligning ESG activities with global standards. Ideal for professionals in enterprises, corporations, and investment firms, the course covers the SDG Impact Standards through practical actions like strategy setting and optimization. Offered by Coursera, the course includes short videos and lessons over 540 minutes, with subscription options available.

Cathy Clark