Sustainability at IESE
Business as a force for sustainable change
People
Improving the lives of people today & tomorrow.
Planet
Protecting our communities & environment.
Purpose
Thinking beyond profit to serve a greater good.
What does sustainability mean for IESE? Sustainability for IESE involves the full arc of business activity, from how companies treat the world around them, to how they treat each employee. It implies a commitment to respecting the environment and contributing to the communities where companies operate. It means creating purpose-driven businesses that generate value shared by all stakeholders. And it revolves around the fundamental importance of people: that companies must improve the lives of the people within their reach.
Ideas for a world to change
The world needs new ideas: novel approaches to how we do business, and leaders who know how to make change happen. IESE is generating new ideas on a broad range of fronts:
·Research. More than a dozen research centers, chairs and initiatives in areas including business in society, corporate governance, work and family, and women in leadership, along with a newly created Sustainable Leadership Initiative.
·Teaching. An array of courses in sustainability, entrepreneurship, impact investing, ESG and the circular economy, as well as an MBA concentration in Sustainability and Responsible Business and short focused programs such as our Sustainability & ESG Program.
·Spreading the word. Events, conferences and meetings dedicated to sustainability-related issues for business leaders and others, such as our 2021 Global Alumni Reunion.
Here, a few highlights of recent research, teaching and tools for executives from IESE:
Sustainability & ESG Program
A short focused program to learn how ESG directly impacts business and how to design, plan and implement actions to respond and “walk the talk” on environmental, social and governance issues.
SustainAbilities: Requirements for a new type of leader
Do you have what it takes to help build a more sustainable world? A series of articles in IESE Insight lays out what business leaders need to know.
More on sustainable leadership from IESE Publishing
In this curated collection of articles from IESE faculty, you'll find the insight you need to know how to lead your organization in the transition to a sustainable future.
Change begins at home
We know that change begins at home. That’s why at IESE over the last decade we've implemented a battery of measures to increase on-campus energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption; to shift to green energy sources; to cut the use of paper, packaging and oils; and to encourage green mobility by installing charging stations for electric vehicles and expanding parking areas for bikes and electric scooters; among other measures. Our on-campus actions are focused in the following areas:
Carbon emissions audit
IESE Business School has been measuring its carbon emissions footprint for several years now. The first external carbon emissions audit was run for the academic year 20-21, showing less than half of our first internal audit. We aim to reduce our carbon emissions even further.
This audit includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. It conforms with the internationally recognized standards of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard from the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Going forward: Goals for 2025
We are redoubling our efforts to be as sustainable as possible. To that end, we've created a Plan for Environmental Sustainability which covers the years 2021 to 2035. The plan (using 2010 as its baseline year) sets out five goals for the year 2025 and additional targets for the year 2035:
Zero emissions (Scope 1 & 2)
30% improvement in energy efficiency
80% renewable energy
10% reduction in water consumption
Zero waste
Our new Madrid campus
Our new campus in Madrid is a model of sustainability, and has obtained LEED Gold certification, which recognizes its high environmental standards. The new campus uses 100% renewable energy, has intelligent control of the facilities and air conditioning, and consumes 40% less water than a conventional building.
Learn all about itStudents & alumni
We measure the success of our sustainability commitment not only by what we do as an institution, but also by what our students and participants do as individuals. The clubs they create while at IESE. The activities they participate in. And, ultimately, the work they do once they leave IESE and begin making their mark.
Doing Good Doing Well conference
Our MBA Responsible Business Club organizes a yearly gathering, the largest student-run conference of its type, to reimagine business.
Fashionably green entrepreneurs
Vibha Kothari (MBA ’19) and these other IESE entrepreneurs in the fashion space want your clothes to leave a positive impression – on people and the planet.
MBA impact investment fund
The IESE for Impact Community (IFIC) fund is an impact investment vehicle funded and managed by MBA students.
People
Sustainability at IESE is also closely linked to our employees, their health and safety, their wellbeing at work, and their opportunities to grow personally and professionally. We strive to create a workplace that is:
·Inclusive. Through policies related to workplace equality and to teleworking, and official certification as a family-friendly company.
·Healthy. Through multiple health and safety measures, including a campus doctor and annual wellness check-ups for employees.
·Safe. Through exhaustive COVID-19 protocols and regular testing.
·Fulfilling. Through professional development plans for both academic and non-academic staff.
Governance
Governance impacts the long-term strategy of IESE, and is a part of how we ensure that IESE is managed in a way that is mindful of all its stakeholders.
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Transparency. Open communication with all stakeholders, through regular all-employee meetings, smaller-scale talks, and posting of relevant information on website and employee intranet.
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Oversight. Committees to ensure a safe and diverse workplace, including compensation, operations, and health and safety.
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Reporting. In addition to our Annual Report, compiled a Social Impact Report detailing CSR areas.