Sustainability Sustainability
Sustainability is at the core of HEC Paris’ strategy as an academic institution. Climate and environmental challenges, social equity, and resource conservation inspire our research, teachings, campus management, and outreach in society.
Economic activity has a significant impact on the world’s major challenges. So does higher education. These convictions build a dual responsibility for HEC Paris. We are committed to furthering research that broadens horizons and to training students and leaders to invent solutions. We know that major changes will not happen without companies. The talents from around the world who choose to study at HEC Paris hold the promise and hope of the future. Our school is committed to the transformation of society through the transformation of business.
HEC Paris has adopted the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
It is for this reason that HEC Paris has adopted the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by adhering to the Global Compact and PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education). Our raison d’être and our values reflect this commitment, which are both that of the School and of our student and alumni communities.
In September 2020, at the impetus of our International Advisory Board, HEC Paris initiated its Transition strategy, to further its ambition in terms of sustainable development and social responsibility for the 2020-2030 decade.
In April 2021, HEC Paris was one of the first business schools in France to signed the Accord de Grenoble initiated by the COP2, led by students
In December 2021, HEC TRANSITION strategy is taking shape with the publication of HEC's first report on all sustainable development and social responsibility initiatives during the 2020-2021 academic year. Embodying our raison d'être and our values, the Transition strategy is part of the 2021-2025 roadmap, to create a new page in the history of our school.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Read and download the Transition Strategy Report 2022
The Sustainability & Organizations (S&O) Institute at HEC Paris combines research and education towards a sustainable and responsible vision of business and purposeful leadership. The Institute and its 60 researchers on campus are dedicated to creating alternative models that balance environmental challenges and social impact with economic performance. Since 2008, the S&O Institute has been a crucible of innovation thanks to the expertise of its researchers and its partnerships that anchor it in the business world. The Institute's three core focus areas are Purposeful Leadership, Inclusive Economy and Climate & Earth. The Institute guides all the programs and specializations of HEC Paris on issues of sustainability and impact in society.
Business Schools for Climate Leadership is a unique partnership between eight of Europe’s leading business schools to help present and future leaders combat the climate crisis facing the planet.
The schools, which came together to launch their alliance at COP26 in Glasgow last year, are Cambridge Judge Business School, HEC Paris, IE Business School, IESE Business School, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), INSEAD, London Business School, and Saïd Business School (University of Oxford).
Our commitment towards environmental and energy transition has driven HEC Paris to put in place an exemplary sustainable campus policy, taking advantage of the Jouy-en-Josas campus and its exceptional natural site. A dedicated team contributes to implementing several projects: the zero-carbon strategy, the energy policy, waste sorting, responsible purchasing, the protection of natural areas and of biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture and food services, in collaboration with local and regional ecosystems. The HEC Sustainability Fund encourages students and personnel to carry out projects for HEC Paris with social and environment impact, and to enrich the life of our campus with inspiring events and initiatives.
HEC Paris is also committed to the creation of impact-oriented businesses. Within the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, HEC Paris manages the “l’Accélérateur de l’Economie Sociale et Solidaire de la Région Ile-de-France” (the Accelerator of the Social Economy and Solidarity of Ile-de-France Region), which is a two-year support scheme for SES companies in a phase of scaling up.
In addition to the School’s initiatives, the HEC community is deploying a strong commitment to ecological and social impact. The Grande École student association ESP’R does remarkable work for the environmental cause by organizing many events such as the Earth Weeks, contributing to a sustainable campus, and supporting educational initiatives. At the MBA level, the Energy Club and the Impact Club work to increase awareness, knowledge and experience of issues related to sustainability, an energy-efficient tomorrow for the former, corporate responsibility and social business for the latter, as well as provide opportunities to expand participants’ networks with people who engage with the aforementioned issues.
For its part, the HEC Alumni Association is very active and engaged notably thanks to the dynamism of the Responsible Development Hub, which includes the Green Economy Club, the Social Economy and Solidarity Club, and the Public Policy Club.
Our Partners
