Sustainability and impact
Purpose
Our mission and Jesuit-inspired founding values are cornerstones upon which the whole Esade community – professionals, alumni, professors and researchers – work wholeheartedly towards achieving the purposeful transformation of organizations, and improving our society and planet.
In July 2020, the Esade Executive Committee approved the first Institutional Sustainability Plan, which culminated in the definition of 6 pledges and 127 actions. These commitments were undertaken after in-depth conversations with our stakeholders and confirmed by our Board of Trustees on December 19, 2022.
In 2022, as per our commitment to advancing a culture of impact measurement, we also conducted an impact assessment using the EFMD Business School Impact System (BSIS).
Commitment impact
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2024 in scopes 1 and 2, offsetting non-reducible emissions. And reduce scope 3 in mobility by 33% by 2030.
We are working towards creating a campus that supports wellbeing and equal opportunities.
In keeping with our values and purpose, we will continue to act in an ethical, responsible and transparent manner.
Commitment to take action
The Esade community is committed to sustainability in all dimensions of our activity.
Transform our campus into a benchmark of sustainability.
We train and guide our community members to become real agents of change in society and help improve the planet.
Sustainability plan
People committed to our planet and society.
This document outlines how the plan was developed and also the strategic and specific aims of each undertaking.
Noteworthy recent ventures
Esade’s sustainability model and its 6 commitments contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
1. Programs for sustainable development
– Bachelor in Transformational Leadership and Social Impact (BITLASI)
– Master of Science in Sustainability Management
– Eight Executive Education programs:
· ESG Program for Directors - with PwC
· Business Leadership for Sustainability: Strategic Integration for Agenda 2030 and ESG Criteria
· Circular Economy (Open In·On)
· Sustainable Management and Agenda 2030 (Open In·On)
· Transformation and Reporting towards the Impact Economy (Open In·On)
· Leadership and Management Program for NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations
· Leadership and Social Innovation Program and Esade-PwC Social Leadership Program.
2. Data on mainstreaming sustainability in core subjects
– In the Business School, compulsory subjects covering sustainability topics range from 46% in the BBA and 100% in the Full Time MBA, while they represent 33% in the Executive Masters. At the Law School, compulsory subjects range from 16% in the Bachelor's Degree in Law to 28% in the Double Degree in Business Management and Law.
3. Transformative educational experiences
– 602 students on service-learning-based subjects
– 59 students on SUD internship.
· 13 countries and 35 projects of which we highlight:
- Fundación Acción Integral Guamote (Ecuador)
- Fe y Alegría (Paraguay)
- Centro Juana Azurduy (Bolivia)
· 21 alumni on the Together program
· Worth highlighting among our 10 projects are:
- Proyecto Techo (Guatemala)
- Proyecto Techo (Costa Rica)
- Proyecto Valleverde (Bolivia)
4. Our campus as a learning laboratory
– 80 open innovation educational projects for resolving challenges.
– 605 participants and 70 mentors.
– Worth highlighting among our projects are:
· Challenge-Based Innovation
· Technology for Social Innovation
· Creativity
· Cupra Open challenge
· Innovation through Design Thinking
5. Scholarship and financial support program
– €4.6m to support 307 excellent students without sufficient financial resources.
6. Research and social debate on ethics, responsibility, and sustainability
– 61 publications (representing 39% of the total)
– 4 knowledge units linked to sustainability
– 88 events and debates with more than 8,000 attendees
– 30 DoBetter articles
7. Calculation of the carbon footprint for Scopes 1, 2, and 3 - in accordance with ISO 14064-1
– 84% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (base: 2019)
– 29% reduction in Scope 3 mobility emissions (base: 2019)
– Data verified by TÜV Rheinland and registered with MITECO
8. A community committed to our planet
– Development of a mobility plan
– Travel policy update
– Incorporation of ESG criteria in project bids
– Wide-ranging elimination of plastic
– Launch of boomerang and lastminute initiatives for food waste elimination
Our track record
Programs
Discover our sustainability-oriented programs.
Bachelor in Transformational Leadership and Social Impact (BITLASI)
Discover the bachelor’s degree with ground-breaking methodology and content. You’ll learn about subjects and skills from different fields of knowledge and create your own social-impact start-up.
MSc in Sustainability Management
Discover the master where you’ll develop disruptive strategies for implementing solutions that have a positive impact on business, society and the environment.
Executive Education In·On: Sustainable Management and Agenda 2030
Apply sustainability to the entire value chain in an organization, learn how to extract materials responsibly, and implement ecodesign together with innovative strategies to reduce emissions and extend product life.
Executive Education Open Program: Sustainable leadership: strategic integration, Agenda 2030 and ESG criteria
Gain new insights into the global inequalities and huge pressure on natural resources that pose serious threats to the sustainability of our lifestyle.
Research
Discover all the research driven by Esade to deliver quality education that makes a great social impact, with particular emphasis on the following knowledge entities:
Social Innovation Institute
The Esade Social Innovation Institute is a knowledge agent carrying out significant research to understand the challenges facing society, together with possible solutions and alternatives.
Center for Social Impact
An academic think tank which, by conducting robust research about social impact, is working on making the world a place where people and organizations can understand better and solve complex global challenges.
Sustainability and Leadership Chair
Centre for applied research and reflection that aims to promote a forum for permanent dialogue between organizations and business representatives and politicians who undertake to govern the world on the basis of engagement.
News
Discover how we boost knowledge and encourage new solutions for present-day and future challenges.
Saving the planet means taking into account value-chain emissions.
More information, Saving the planet means taking into account value-chain emissions.Climate action calls for greater business accountability.
More information, Climate action calls for greater business accountability.What obstacles hinder SMEs trying to meet sustainability goals?
More information, What obstacles hinder SMEs trying to meet sustainability goals?New value-oriented leadership skills for sustainable alliances.
More information, New value-oriented leadership skills for sustainable alliances.Impact reporting
The on-going collaboration and contribution made by the entire Esade community, in addition to the publication of progress reports and accountability, are crucial for ensuring the successful implementation of the Institutional Sustainability Plan.
Previous years’ reports
Identity and Social Responsibility Report 2020-2021
Identity and Social Responsibility Report 2019-2020
Identity, Mission and Social Responsibility Report & PRME Report 2018-19
Identity, Mission and Social Responsibility Report & PRME Report 2017-18
Identity, Mission and Social Responsibility Report & PRME Report 2016-17
Identity, Mission and Social Responsibility Report & PRME Report 2015-16
Identity, Mission and Social Responsibility Report 2014-2015
Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) 2014
Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) 2012
Esade's impact on society
If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, please get in touch: sustainableimpact@esade.edu