HEC Paris faculty gets together in Chamonix to embed climate change issues into its teaching

For the first time, a dozen members of the HEC Paris faculty took part in a “back-to-school” seminar in Chamonix to brainstorm about how management schools and their teaching culture should set about tackling climate issues. The specific focus of this task force, which is designed to be renewed with new members every year, is to foster rigorous knowledge and know-how about the various facets of climate change.

Training a new generation of leaders capable of driving the change towards a more sustainable future is central to HEC Paris's mission. The issue of climate change is anything but a passing trend: it calls for a fundamental shift and a revamping of the teaching culture within business schools.

Since 2021, first-year students (L3) at HEC start their academic studies with an orientation seminar in Chamonix designed to raise awareness about climate disruption. HEC Paris is now opening up this seminar to members of its faculty with custom-designed, repurposed content.

Twelve HEC Paris professors from several departments -law, strategy, accounting and management control, marketing, Information Systems and Operations Management and entrepreneurship- took part in this first seminar from August 25 to 27. It was a unique opportunity for participants to critically re-evaluate and redefine the content of their courses in light of the obstacles and urgent challenges of sustainability, climate change and the inclusive economy.

The aim of the program, which is based partly on experimental learning (i.e. learning through hands-on experience), is to acquire in-depth skills and knowledge about the various aspects of climate change. Faculty members met up with geomorphologists to gain a full understanding of the causes and effects of climate change. Participants also looked at the socio-economic impact on the Chamonix region, especially for industries connected with the mountain ecosystem.

In addition, the professors touched on the role of management schools in heightening awareness among decision-makers - present and future - to provide solutions to the climate emergency and to incorporate the issue into their teaching programs.

Anne Michaut, Associate Dean, Education Track Faculty and Pedagogy, and the person behind the seminar, commented: "Stepping outside your usual environment and habits is a fantastic way to freshen up your ideas, find inspiration, and be creative and innovative. For the professors, this seminar is a shared experience you can’t put a price on. They come away with concrete plans, new initiatives and the desire to work together, which boosts and provides a new energy to push ahead with HEC's mission of excellence.”