The Business of Resilient Transitions: An Innovative Graduate Studies Certificate Program

This case study brings climate change to a sector that does not necessarily engage with climate change: business. The case study highlights both the importance and potential of widespread climate education.

While HEC Paris offers a range of Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral programs, the school was missing an intentional focus on climate education. HEC Paris launched a Climate and Business Certificate in 2022 to help prepare business students to navigate climate change and decarbonization from both a business and societal perspective.

The Certificate is a five-week intensive program that approaches climate change from three key learning dimensions: cognitive, social/emotional, and action/behavioral. Each week, students focus on different building blocks of climate education for business: understanding, transforming, financing, experiencing, and leading. In essence, students are taught about the socio-economic stakes of Net Zero transitions at a macro level, as well as the micro-financial implications of this transition for business. Students also learn the practical skills of how to engage with a variety of climate stakeholders to advocate for climate-friendly business development.

This case study ultimately highlights the importance of implementing CCE within business school curricula. Business schools are an important avenue for shaping the way that future business leaders consider and address climate change when developing their businesses, and in their everyday practices. The Climate and Business Certificate demonstrates the potential of effective climate education in shaping the business leaders of tomorrow to help achieve a carbon neutral future.