The Course
Fashion and home product supply chains face growing pressure to transform. Climate change, shifting customer expectations, and rising business accountability are reshaping how products are designed, sourced, manufactured, and delivered. Net Zero is a shared responsibility embedded in every role, every product, and every decision.
This flexible online course run by the University of Manchester explores Net Zero in a practical, accessible way, showing how responsible decision-making runs through every choice, from materials and packaging to sourcing, design, and logistics. Learners will learn to identify key emissions drivers and use practical evidence to inform better decisions in their role, building the confidence and capability to question assumptions, rethink established practices and take action.
What students will learn
· Apply Net Zero principles to decisions about products, materials, sourcing, packaging and logistics.
· Identify emissions drivers and hotspots across the value chain, using evidence to inform practical work place decisions.
· Assess how decisions across products, processes and supply chains influence emissions and sustainability outcomes.
· Communicate effectively with colleagues and suppliers, recognising opportunities to collaborate and influence change.
· Recognise points of influence within your role and apply behaviour-change approaches to support progress towards Net Zero.
· Develop a personal Net ZeroContribution Plan that identifies realistic actions within your role and supports continued professional practice.
How students will learn
This course is designed for busy professionals so it offers a self-paced learning environment where students can study 50 hours of learning across 10weeks flexibly around work and personal commitments.
· 40 hours of self-paced learning structured around core themes
· 10 hours dedicated to demonstrating learning and completing your final Net Zero Contribution Plan
This balance ensures students can gain practical insights and apply it to their own context resulting in a clear plan they can take forward.
Assessment
Over 10 weeks, students will develop a practical Net Zero Contribution Plan that demonstrates their understanding of the value supply chain and identifies realistic actions to support Net Zero goals. This assessment is designed for immediate real-world application, encouraging them to critically evaluate current practices and define tangible steps for positive change within their organisation.
Eligibility
To apply for this course, individuals should be working in the fashion or homewares industry and have relevant professional experience. Designed with practical application in mind, the course enables learners to apply their learning directly to their day-to-day role, culminating in the development of a tailored Net Zero Contribution Plan by the end of the programme.
Course fees
The course fee is £1,250. University of Manchester alumni are eligible for a 10% discount. Organisations enrolling multiple learners may also qualify for a corporate group discount such as 10% for groups of 5-10 people, 15% for groups of 10-20 people and 20% for groups of 20 or more.
How to book
Interested parties can purchase the course via The University of Manchester online store. Once your payment is confirmed, you will receive enrolment information before the course begins.
Those who would like additional information before booking can complete the enquiry form on the course webpage to receive course details, updates on future start dates, and guidance on the enrolment process.
To join the next intake, please reserve your place by 1 February 2027.
The Education Provider
The University of Manchester, located in Manchester, is a globally recognised, research-intensive institution with a strong heritage in textile science and materials. Its Fashion Business and Technology provision combines academic rigour with industry engagement, integrating sustainability, digital innovation and business strategy to develop graduates equipped to lead transformation across global fashion and textile supply chains.
