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United Nations Environment Programme
  • Paris, June 12-13, 2023
  • Day 1- June 12
  • Day 2- June 13

ESCP Business School and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) within the Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) Initiative, held the second Symposium on Teaching & Curriculum Development in Sustainability Entrepreneurship in Paris 12-13 June, 2023. Global academic practitioners discussed how to integrate sustainability into programme designs and inspire eco-entrepreneurs and new business model innovators of tomorrow. Speakers shared their experience and strategy for integrating sustainability; what has been effective and where challenges remain. 

The symposium on sustainability curriculum in entrepreneurship, which brought together academics and practitioners, was a ground-breaking event for many participants. It remains a much needed space for advancing on the subject of new business models and provided a unique platform for meaningful discussions. Looking ahead to the next year, it would be compelling to engage more students and ensure a broader representation across different geographical regions.

The event explored:   

  • How can we mainstream sustainability in disciplines like marketing and entrepreneurship?  
  • How can we design effective curricula for sustainable entrepreneurship, and what are the challenges? 
  • How do we teach sustainable entrepreneurship? 
  • What are global perspectives on promoting new sustainable business models via entrepreneurship? 
  • What are examples of successful sustainable business models? 

Why is integrating sustainability into programme designs critical for tomorrow’s new business models? 

The call for ‘new business models’ has grown increasingly loud when addressing sustainability issues. These models will determine how companies survive and thrive in a world of resource constraints and environmental impacts brought on by the current linear production model of extract, make, use and dispose. It is well documented that we need more planets to meet the trajectory of current resource needs. This calls for a refashioning of the business models that allow us to meet our needs and live our aspirations so we can address the climate, nature and pollution problems. Business schools play a central role in these agendas by training students to design and manage companies that serve purpose, not just profit. Mainstreaming sustainability in business education is essential in providing students with the foundation and tools they need to become the innovators of new sustainable business models, allowing continued growth through circularity.  

UNEP’s strategy for mainstreaming sustainability in programme designs 

UNEP’s Sustainable Lifestyles and Education Team fosters the creation of sustainable living business models, working in tandem with institutions around the world to train students and faculty on the science behind lifestyles. The available resources include generic curricula, bibliographical materials, documented lessons learned and an annual symposium that reviews progress on new business models. 

 

Summary record of the event
 
  1. Opening comments by Dr. Florian Lüdeke-Freund and Dr. Robert Sheldon, ESCP Business School; Garrette Clark, UNEP

Garrette Clark, UNEP:

  • Planetary crisis will only be exacerbated in the future, therefore there is a need to work with the leaders of tomorrow.
  • New business models are the new magic bullets. We need to meet needs differently, based on new aspirations and vision.

Dr. Florian Lüdeke-Freund, ESCP Business School:

  • The importance of incorporating both theoretical and practical aspects in teaching should be emphasized.

Dr. Robert Sheldon, ESCP Business School: 

  • Sustainability entrepreneurship can be defined as the pursuit of conserving, restoring, and/or distributing natural or societal resources more justly through the commercialization of new products or services, and by fostering the creation of revenue-generating organizations.
  • Thinking of sustainability entrepreneurship:
    • Phase 1: Focuses on replacing current consumption patterns with more sustainable alternatives.
    • Phase 2: Aims to actively reduce net consumption.

 

  1. Academic keynote address by Dr. Nikolay A. Dentchev, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and CSR at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
  • Sustainable entrepreneurship within and beyond university curriculum: We need a policy.
  • The VUB Chair of Social Entrepreneurship, established in 2015, has grown into an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers hands-on support to hundreds of social enterprises annually in Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

 

  1. Workshop by UNEP: Getting the Basics Right: The Sustainability Compass
  • From the evidence, particularly lifestyle footprints, it is evident that we must reduce household consumption.
  • The sustainability compass provides guidance on the most preferred and impactful actions.
  • Policy support is crucial to determine areas where action should be taken, improve infrastructure, and enable behavioral change. Choice-editing policies can play a significant role in achieving these objectives.

 

  1. Workshop: Designing Entrepreneurship Courses from a Degrowth Perspective. Dr. Karin Wigger, Linköping University; Dr. Jeanette Engzell, Linköping University; Dr. Charlotte Norrman, Linköping University; Dr. Ida Matilde Fauske, Nord University.
  • Degrowth is defined as the intentional downscaling of production and consumption with a simultaneous focus on enhancing overall well-being. However, the main discussion centers around the importance of defining and refining the concept of degrowth.
  • The primary objective of the workshop is to investigate the potential intersections between technology, degrowth, and entrepreneurship.
  • A key question posed to all participants is: How can entrepreneurship be taught both for and within a degrowth economy?

 

  1. Hybrid Panel: Global perspectives on promoting new business models via entrepreneurship, moderated by Garrette Clark with Dr. Diana Trujillo, Universidad de los Andes; Dr. Dan LeClair, the Global Business School Network; Majid Mirza, Waterloo University; Dr. Booyuel Kim, Seoul National University.

Dr. Diana Trujillo, Universidad de los Andes:

  • The school has developed a diverse program portfolio comprising various sustainability courses and programs. For example, they offer a Master's program in regeneration, development practices, sustainable management, as well as incorporating sustainability elements into other programs such as the MBA and supply chain management.
  • One of the challenges faced by the school is the necessity to engage not only with students but also with the faculty.

Dr. Dan LeClair, the Global Business School Network:

  • From the perspective of a global network, there is an observation that business schools tend to prioritize entrepreneurship over corporate sustainability.
  • The challenge faced is that there is still a greater emphasis on pursuing profits rather than incorporating social missions.

Dr. Booyuel Kim, Seoul National University:

  • The school receives funding from the SK Group, a leading global investor based in South Korea. The funding is specifically directed towards supporting social economy initiatives, fostering public-private partnerships, and nurturing social ventures.
  • It is important to acknowledge that entrepreneurship initiatives may have different agendas when implemented in various regions. This recognition is necessary to account for the diverse social, economic, and cultural factors that shape entrepreneurial activities in different contexts.
  • Social Progress Credit (SPC) Initiative evaluates the social impact generated by these enterprises, which aim to generate both sustainable financial returns and social value.

Majid Mirza, Waterloo University:

  • Academically speaking, the majority of papers on ESG do not establish clear sustainability linkages, with less than 1% addressing the issue adequately.
  • It is important to participate in industry conferences, not just academic conferences, to ensure a well-rounded perspective and engagement with real-world practices.

 

  1. Presentation by Dr. Isabela del Alcázar, Global Head for Sustainability IE Business School.
  • The skills and competences necessary to thrive encompass entrepreneurial skills, the dissemination of sustainability knowledge by integrating it into core curricula and offering specialized pathways, as well as impact skills that encompass critical thinking, behavioral skills, and digital skills.
  • IE School strongly believes that the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be accomplished through education. To foster cultural change, it is crucial to establish sustainable learning environments.

 

  1. Presentation by Dr. Stefano Lovo, HEC Paris. Does carbon awareness matter? Evidence from a field experiment at an HEC restaurant.
  • Two professors from HEC Paris initiated a campus experiment aimed at conducting a comprehensive analysis of our food choice practices and gauging our sensitivity to various factors such as information availability, prices, and environmental considerations.
  • The experiment, conducted between March 13 and May 29, has ignited substantial debates among students concerning the roles that individuals should assume in addressing the intricate issue of global warming. The analysis of the results is currently underway.

 

  1. Workshop by Dr. Antonieta Alcorta de Bronsteain and Jana-Michaela Timm on educators as change agents.
  • To revolutionize entrepreneurship education, it is essential to integrate innovative educational approaches that fuse entrepreneurship and ICT in order to cultivate sustainable solutions.
  • Furthermore, it is imperative to take into account various teaching aspects, including practical examples, methodologies, and research, to enhance the overall learning experience.

 

  1. Presentation by Dr. Valentina Carbone, Dr. Joe Miemczyk and Dr Aurelien Acquier, ESCP Business School, on teaching the climate Fresk.
  • The Climate Fresk is an engaging game that focuses on the topic of climate change, harnessing collective intelligence and creativity. It was developed in 2018, utilizing the wealth of climate-related knowledge provided by the IPCC
  • Individuals have the opportunity to enhance their own knowledge and skills by actively engaging in training others.
  1. Workshop by UNEP: Creating markets for sustainable living -- harnessing the power of marketing, advertising and social media.
  • Social media is crucial for business schools as it grants access to a vast online population, connecting with 2-3 billion consumers, primarily young individuals. Additionally, social media platforms wield influential power and provide real-time market analysis capabilities.
  • Anatomy of Actions (AoA), developed with UnSchool of Disruptive Design, is an evidence-based social media toolkit that maps priority actions.

 

  1. Presentation by Lisa Merrick- Lawless and Ceri Jones from Purpose Disruptors, which works to catalyze the advertising industry’s climate transition.
  • It is important to address the impact of advertising, as increased exposure to ads correlates with higher CO2 emissions. Advertising can be leveraged to encourage individuals to reconsider their consumerist behaviours.
  • The theory of change emphasizes the need for individuals within the existing system to drive systemic changes. It highlights the role of people as agents of change in bringing about transformative shifts.

 

  1. Workshop on teaching sustainable entrepreneurship using Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) methods. Dr. Frans Stel, from Challenge 4 Impact.
  • Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) methods serve as a tool for cultivating 21st-century skills, with a particular emphasis on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

 

  1. Presentation by Anne Seela on the relevance and conceptual ideas of impact monitoring in challenge-based learning formats.
  • Impact monitoring entails studying whether student business challenges have a discernible positive impact. It has been observed that students often tend to delve into specific outcomes rather than focusing on the broader impacts.

 

  1. Presentation by Simone Scholtens on teaching circular business models.
  • With a focus on sustainability, the ICT business, and the creative industry, she adeptly guides international students in developing innovative circular business models.

 

  1. Presentation by Henriette Scholte on the influence of taxation on sustainable entrepreneurship.
  • Taxation should strive to prevent distortions in production efficiency while also integrating mechanisms to internalize negative externalities effectively.
  • Despite the challenges related to cost and continuous development, the integration of sustainability into Tax Law Curriculum presents numerous advantages for practitioners (government/business) and students, fostering meaningful connections between them.

 

  1. Practitioner keynote address by Justine Lecallier, COO of Circul’egg, which transforms industrial biowaste, notably egg shells, into usable products.
  • Circul'egg is involved in the valorization of eggshells, treating them as a waste management opportunity.
  • Reflections on business school education reveal a lack of instruction on career paths in sustainability or entrepreneurship beyond the traditional options. Most of the information on sustainability or entrepreneurship was sourced from alumni associations or student associations.
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