Certificate Course – Chief Sustainability Manager
The role of future security, resilience, and entrepreneurial sovereignty
Today's companies face a multitude of complex challenges. Scarcer raw materials, vulnerable supply chains, geopolitical uncertainties, and new European regulations influence decisions in almost all areas of business. Sustainability is thus becoming a key strategic tool that organizations can use to strengthen their resilience, reduce dependencies, and achieve long-term stability.
The certificate course provides a structured understanding of the relevant sustainability levers along the value chain. Participants learn to systematically analyze risks, set priorities, and develop targeted measures that sustainably strengthen the economic and ecological performance of their company.
- Study format:
- Certificate Course
- Duration:
- 5 Days
- Teaching:
- April 13 - 17, 2026 in Aachen
- Course fees:
- 3,780 € plus VAT with the Early Bird Special when booking up to 8 weeks before the course starts (regular price: 4,200€ plus VAT)
- Qualification:
- Further Education Certificate
- Language:
- Course Language: German, Documents: English
Contents of the Training
Today's businesses operate in an environment characterized by uncertain commodity markets, vulnerable supply chains, and increasingly dense regulatory requirements. As a result, sustainability is becoming a key lever for corporate resilience and strategic sovereignty.
In the Chief Sustainability Manager certificate course, you will gain a systematic understanding of the key areas of sustainability and the associated risk and opportunity profiles. You will learn how to use sustainability as a tool for minimizing risk, increasing efficiency, and securing the future. The course teaches practical methods for making value chains more resilient, strategically managing resources, and implementing sustainable transformation processes in a structured manner.
Day 1 | Strategic fundamentals and regulations
Day 2 | Value chains and circular economy approaches
Day 3 | Production and energy
Day 4 | KPIs, LCA, and evaluation of measures
Day 5 | Roadmap and implementation
Develop new skills and gain industry-specific knowledge
During the course, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers of sustainability and resilience throughout the entire value chain. You will acquire industry-specific skills and strategies that you can apply directly in your professional environment.
Learn how to
- analyze material dependencies and make informed decisions to reduce risk
- identify weaknesses in global supply chains and build robust structures
- confidently classify regulatory requirements and translate them into practical implementation approaches
- prepare and evaluate circular and resource-efficient business models
- prioritize technical and organizational measures and translate them into a realistic roadmap
- use sustainability as a strategic tool to strengthen resilience, cost stability, and corporate sovereignty
This will enable you to develop a skill set that goes far beyond traditional sustainability roles and becomes a strategic function for the future security of the company.
"Man erhält einen sehr guten Überblick über das, was genau die relevanten Themen im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit sind und in Hinblick auf das, was realisierbar ist. Ich würde es jedem Nachhaltigkeitsverantwortlichen empfehlen."
Maximilian Schefz, ThyssenKrupp Schulte GmbH
Would you like to find out more about the course?
Download our Flyer with all the relevant information about the course!
If you have any further questions or concerns, please call us on +49 241 80 23944 or send us an e-mail.
Professional Lead & Lecturers of the Chief Sustainability Manager
Vita of the Professional Lead
Vitae of the Lecturers
Teaching Institutes & Partner
The Innovation Center on the RWTH Aachen Campus offers further education in the field of technology and innovation management to find optimized solutions for their challenges. A "world of experience" is being created in collaboration with partners from the TIME Research Area, Fraunhofer IPT, WZL of RWTH Aachen, and KEX Knowledge Exchange AG, allowing industry's future planners and decision-makers to experience the process from the initial development idea to the manufacture of products ready for series production. The fundamental concept is precisely tailored to the projects, potentials, and interests of companies.
Participation Requirements & Target Group
The certificate course is aimed at specialists and managers who understand sustainability as a strategic task and want to prepare their company for future challenges. The course is particularly suitable for people who actively manage material risks, supply chain dependencies, and regulatory developments within their company.
The target audience includes:
- Managers responsible for sustainability, the environment, and corporate strategy
- Specialists and managers in purchasing, supply chain management, and operations
- Individuals in energy, production, development, and engineering who play key roles in transformation
- Employees who want to make their organization more resilient and independent
- Decision-makers who want to shape sustainable and resilient corporate development
There are no specific formal requirements for participation. An interest in interdisciplinary issues and a desire to develop practical strategic skills are helpful.
Course Overview
5 Days | 3,780 € plus VAT Early bird price up to 8 weeks before the start of the course | Regular price: € 4,200 plus VAT
incl. lunch, course materials & social program, excl. overnight stay/arrival and departure
- Further Education Certificate
- 5% Alumni Discount
Why take the Course Chief Sustainability Manager at the RWTH International Academy?
- Practical examples from industry and SMEs that show how companies use sustainability to strengthen their resilience
- Interactive group work in which real material and supply chain risks are analyzed and strategic options for action are developed
- Structured methods for developing individual strategies and roadmaps that can be applied directly in your own corporate context
- A systematic approach that views sustainability as a tool for risk management, cost stability, and long-term competitiveness
- In-depth insights into regulatory developments and their significance for organizations
- A professional exchange with experts and participants from various industries, opening up new perspectives and networks
RWTH International Academy Further Education Certificate
After successfully completing the course "Chief Sustainability Manager", you will receive a certificate of attendance issued by the RWTH International Academy. Your achievements will make a fundamental contribution to your professional development and enable you to derive needs-based solutions through specific specialist knowledge. In addition, you will receive the Further Education Certificate as a verified digital badge, which is protected and authenticated by the blockchain and specifically strengthens your professional portfolio through its unlimited visibility, security and flexibility.
In-house Opportunities
Our in-house training offers a wide range of academic and professional skills tailored to your company's specific challenges and goals. We work closely with you to develop a customized training, compiled from proven teaching methods and the expertise of our qualified lecturers to ensure optimal learning outcomes for your professional development.
Would one of our courses also be of interest to your entire team/company? Contact us: Our team for your team! We will be happy to advise you on the possibility of an in-house course. Give us a call or send us an email – we will tailor your further training to your needs!
Funding Options
If you live/work in Germany, there are a number of government funding opportunities for your continuing education. Financial and time support is offered, for example the
- individual federal states
(e.g. through Bildungsscheck or QualiCheck) - educational leave
Early Bird Special - book now and save
Want to plan ahead? If you book up to 8 weeks before the course starts, you will receive an attractive discount of up to 10%. To receive the discounted price, simply book by e-mail or using our registration form. It is not necessary to mention the early bird discount.
Still have questions? Give us a call or send an email to further-education@academy.rwth-aachen.de.
Are you an alumni and want to take advantage of the early bird discount? Please contact us!
Further Questions? Feel free to contact us!
Do you have any questions about this certificate course, or do you need support with funding or finding a place to stay?
Feel free to contact our team at any time. We are always happy to help you.
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