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The next generation of business leaders will need more than just a traditional business education in order to thrive. Finding success while also prioritising environmental and social sustainability will be essential, with companies increasingly judged for the impact they have on our planet.
For students considering a postgraduate degree in business, specialising in sustainability is no longer just a niche interest but a powerful strategic choice for a future-proof career.
Why employers are looking for sustainable skills
Across industries, companies are actively seeking professionals who understand the complexities of sustainable development. Businesses now need experts who can guide them through environmental regulations, develop green investment strategies, and create long-term value that aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
A postgraduate degree that focuses on sustainability, such as the MSc in Global and Sustainable Business at EDHEC Business School, gives you the skills employers are prioritising in areas such as responsible investing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable supply chain management, and green entrepreneurship.
One of the programme’s external lecturers, Clara Millard-Dereudre, Executive Director at Smart City and Board Member at SBB CFF FFS, described her goal in teaching as “to equip future leaders with the knowledge and tools to redefine the role of business and marketing by addressing sustainability challenges and opportunities”.
To achieve this, EDHEC’s programme brings its students together to collaborate on solving real-world sustainability problems.
Millard-Dereudre said: “I organise practical projects in my courses to help students apply sustainable development concepts.
“For example, a recent project involved developing a Smart City solution, where students worked in groups, applying four key concepts I teach: connecting stakeholders, linking beginning and end, matching needs and capabilities, and aligning discourse with actions.
“They presented their solutions at the end of the course. This approach required them to think concretely and understand how these concepts can be integrated into real-world solutions.
“I also use tailored case studies to illustrate class concepts, stimulating critical thinking and practical skills in sustainable development.”
If you're someone who cares deeply about climate action, ethical business, or social justice, project work like this on a sustainability-focused degree lets you channel that passion into work on meaningful issues such as carbon reduction, circular economy models, or inclusive economic development.
This integration of purpose and professional development is both motivating and deeply rewarding.
Sustainable solutions in the world of finance
If there’s an urgent need for businesses to focus on sustainability, then it’s an even more pressing issue for the finance industry.
Sustainable investing has become a mainstream concept and this massive shift requires a new generation of finance professionals who can assess risks and returns not just through a financial lens, but also through environmental and ethical dimensions.
At EDHEC Business School, the MSc in Climate Change & Sustainable Finance aims to teach students the tools that are required to ensure that the financial industry can provide long-term support to meet environmental needs.
The double degree programme, offered in partnership with Mines Paris – PSL (a prestigious French engineering school) takes a multidisciplinary approach to finance. Student Owen Puerini described the arrangement to us: “The professors at MINES Paris-PSL provide a much more scientific and engineering-focused curriculum than could be expected from a business school alone.
“This gives us a solid understanding of basic physics and natural science, both of which provide important context for green finance. The material is mainly delivered through lectures, but also includes guest speakers, group projects, and the occasional in-class exercise or learning expedition.”
This blend of skills is essential for equipping students with the engineering, management and financial tools required to build a more sustainable future by transforming companies’ business models into more sustainable ones.
This programme is a fantastic example of how sustainability is not a stand-alone topic—it intersects with economics, finance, policy, engineering and technology.
By blending core business or financial disciplines with environmental science, data analytics, and social impact evaluation, EDHEC ensures its graduates are versatile and adaptable in a rapidly evolving job market, leveraging years of accumulated knowledge and expertise in sustainable finance.
This depth of knowledge is aptly demonstrated by the numerous dedicated research initiatives and centres on Climate Finance, including the EDHEC Climate Institute based on their Nice campus, which models climate risks and helps generate evidence-based climate insights.
Possible career options
A postgraduate qualification in sustainable business or finance sets you apart from candidates with more traditional degrees. You’re not only qualified to work in corporate or financial settings, but also in non-profits, government, think tanks, and start-ups.
These degrees open doors to roles such as green private equity & debt, renewable energy VC, sustainability analyst, ESG investment advisor, corporate responsibility manager, or environmental risk consultant.
As more organisations make sustainability central to their strategy, demand for specialised talent will continue to rise. Investing in this type of education now is not just an ethical choice—it’s a smart career move with long-term value.
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
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Change the world by studying a degree in sustainable business
Craig OCallaghan
Updated Jun 12, 2025Save
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Sponsored by EDHEC Business School
The next generation of business leaders will need more than just a traditional business education in order to thrive. Finding success while also prioritising environmental and social sustainability will be essential, with companies increasingly judged for the impact they have on our planet.
For students considering a postgraduate degree in business, specialising in sustainability is no longer just a niche interest but a powerful strategic choice for a future-proof career.
Why employers are looking for sustainable skills
Across industries, companies are actively seeking professionals who understand the complexities of sustainable development. Businesses now need experts who can guide them through environmental regulations, develop green investment strategies, and create long-term value that aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
A postgraduate degree that focuses on sustainability, such as the MSc in Global and Sustainable Business at EDHEC Business School, gives you the skills employers are prioritising in areas such as responsible investing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable supply chain management, and green entrepreneurship.
One of the programme’s external lecturers, Clara Millard-Dereudre, Executive Director at Smart City and Board Member at SBB CFF FFS, described her goal in teaching as “to equip future leaders with the knowledge and tools to redefine the role of business and marketing by addressing sustainability challenges and opportunities”.
To achieve this, EDHEC’s programme brings its students together to collaborate on solving real-world sustainability problems.
Millard-Dereudre said: “I organise practical projects in my courses to help students apply sustainable development concepts.
“For example, a recent project involved developing a Smart City solution, where students worked in groups, applying four key concepts I teach: connecting stakeholders, linking beginning and end, matching needs and capabilities, and aligning discourse with actions.
“They presented their solutions at the end of the course. This approach required them to think concretely and understand how these concepts can be integrated into real-world solutions.
“I also use tailored case studies to illustrate class concepts, stimulating critical thinking and practical skills in sustainable development.”
If you're someone who cares deeply about climate action, ethical business, or social justice, project work like this on a sustainability-focused degree lets you channel that passion into work on meaningful issues such as carbon reduction, circular economy models, or inclusive economic development.
This integration of purpose and professional development is both motivating and deeply rewarding.
Sustainable solutions in the world of finance
If there’s an urgent need for businesses to focus on sustainability, then it’s an even more pressing issue for the finance industry.
Sustainable investing has become a mainstream concept and this massive shift requires a new generation of finance professionals who can assess risks and returns not just through a financial lens, but also through environmental and ethical dimensions.
At EDHEC Business School, the MSc in Climate Change & Sustainable Finance aims to teach students the tools that are required to ensure that the financial industry can provide long-term support to meet environmental needs.
The double degree programme, offered in partnership with Mines Paris – PSL (a prestigious French engineering school) takes a multidisciplinary approach to finance. Student Owen Puerini described the arrangement to us: “The professors at MINES Paris-PSL provide a much more scientific and engineering-focused curriculum than could be expected from a business school alone.
“This gives us a solid understanding of basic physics and natural science, both of which provide important context for green finance. The material is mainly delivered through lectures, but also includes guest speakers, group projects, and the occasional in-class exercise or learning expedition.”
This blend of skills is essential for equipping students with the engineering, management and financial tools required to build a more sustainable future by transforming companies’ business models into more sustainable ones.
This programme is a fantastic example of how sustainability is not a stand-alone topic—it intersects with economics, finance, policy, engineering and technology.
By blending core business or financial disciplines with environmental science, data analytics, and social impact evaluation, EDHEC ensures its graduates are versatile and adaptable in a rapidly evolving job market, leveraging years of accumulated knowledge and expertise in sustainable finance.
This depth of knowledge is aptly demonstrated by the numerous dedicated research initiatives and centres on Climate Finance, including the EDHEC Climate Institute based on their Nice campus, which models climate risks and helps generate evidence-based climate insights.
Possible career options
A postgraduate qualification in sustainable business or finance sets you apart from candidates with more traditional degrees. You’re not only qualified to work in corporate or financial settings, but also in non-profits, government, think tanks, and start-ups.
These degrees open doors to roles such as green private equity & debt, renewable energy VC, sustainability analyst, ESG investment advisor, corporate responsibility manager, or environmental risk consultant.
As more organisations make sustainability central to their strategy, demand for specialised talent will continue to rise. Investing in this type of education now is not just an ethical choice—it’s a smart career move with long-term value.
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
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