Sustainability at EDHEC: Leading the Way

With the mounting challenges of global warming and societal shifts, businesses are thrust into a pivotal role. EDHEC Business School is at the core of this movement, molding its students to drive impactful change. This institution is all action, not just talk. Its updated SDSR  policy, based on an audit by global consultancy firm Capgemini, reflects dedication and alignment with future-focused principles.

Central to its ethos is how EDHEC utilizes finance as a tool against climate change—enabling inclusion and diversity while pioneering responsible business methodologies.

Achieving sustainability mandates a commitment from every member of the EDHEC community. It requires sharing best practices and a strategy to incorporate all facets of environmental and social sustainability within EDHEC’s framework.

The French business school aligned with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) in 2015, synchronizing its efforts with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. EDHEC’s recent ventures include signing the Grenoble Accord in 2021, which is modeled after the Paris Climate Agreement and was a result of the Student COP2. And in December 2023, EDEC was awarded the SD&SR (Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility) label for the next two years. 

As part of its commitment, EDHEC introduced its inaugural Sustainable Development and Social Corporate Responsibility (SDSR), founded on five key pillars, Research, Education, Campuses, Diversity, and Cross-Functionality.

Let’s delve into each key pillar.

1. Research: Setting the Benchmark for Responsible Finance

EDHEC aspires to be the global standard-bearer in responsible finance research. The school has allocated an impressive € 20 million over four years towards climate finance, mobilizing a dedicated team of 25 experts. Reflecting this dedication, 25% of EDHEC’s academic contributions in the 2022/23 period centered on societal and environmental topics. 

Further underscoring its promise, in 2022, the EDHEC Risk Institute evolved into the EDHEC-Risk Climate Impact Institute. It is a multidisciplinary hub intent on driving positive societal and sustainable change through financial research.

2. Education: Integrating Sustainability at Every Step

EDHEC is setting the standards among European business schools for inclusive, impactful leadership and entrepreneurship. Whether pursuing a Master’s in Management (MiM) or MBA, all students get educated on our era’s sustainability and societal challenges.

Each academic year commences with orientation programs that shed light on climate risks and the imperative to combat gender-based and sexual violence (SGBV). Every first-year student attends a mandatory SGBV session enriched with pivotal conferences and the Act and Stop SGBV program.

All EDHEC startups receive specialized training in responsible entrepreneurship, with an ambitious target of nurturing 300 startups by 2030.

3. Campuses: Embarking on the Carbon-Neutral Journey

Championing sustainability across its campuses, EDHEC is setting an ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This involves targeting a 40% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a 20% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030. 

Already, all EDHEC campuses utilize 100% low-carbon electricity.

€25 million has been invested in lessening the carbon footprint of the Lille campus alone. The Lille campus is connected to a district heating network. With upcoming main building renovations in 2024, EDHEC expects to save an additional 600,000 kWh/year.

The Nice campus benefited from a €5 million project to enhance building exteriors, resulting in a 500,000 kWh/year reduction in electricity use.

4. Diversity and Inclusion: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers

EDHEC is breaking down financial barriers that prevent talented students from pursuing their goals. 

Established in 2016, the Diversity & Inclusion Chair drives equity and inclusivity through innovative methods, including training and research. It also combats sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in student communities and hosts the annual Diversity & Inclusion Springboard event for pre-master students.

Currently, 14% of EDHEC students benefit from the needs-based CROUS social scholarship, with an ambitious target of 20% by 2024/25. 

The school ensures financial access and diversity with a study finance program. Since 2022, it has offered up to 75% tuition fee funding for top CROUS scholarship recipients. A discretionary grant scheme aids financially challenged students, backed by generous donations through EDHEC Giving.

5. Cross-functionality at EDHEC Creates Collaborative Excellence

EDHEC was founded in 1906 in France and now holds EESPIG status (A privately owned higher education institution recognized by the state for its non-profit status). This emphasizes its public-beneficial nature and commitment to integrating sustainability and Corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. 

Its progressive governance is central to the school’s philosophy, benefiting future generations. Alums, students, corporate allies, local entities, and staff collectively steer its direction, ensuring the institution remains agile and responsive to societal shifts. 

EDHEC’s CSR Department spearheads cross-functional projects tackling complex environmental and societal issues. The institution drives CSR initiatives through internal communication and technology like the EDHEC Together platform, evolving responsibly from sustainable event strategies to impactful online offerings.

EDHEC’s Sustainable Vision

Sustainability initiatives at EDHEC are an example of taking responsibility at the juncture of academic excellence and societal impact. 

Embodying a century-old legacy fueled by commitment, EDHEC’s endeavors underscore its pledge to prepare students for unprecedented changes. 

By integrating sustainability across research, education, infrastructure, inclusion, and cross-functionality, the institution illuminates the path for other academic bodies to follow. As global challenges amplify, EDHEC’s initiatives signify that change demands collective action, innovation, and persistence. 

Do you want to delve deeper into the accomplishments and plans of EDHEC? Explore the SDSR Report!