Change the world by studying a degree in sustainable business

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.  

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.