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About INSEAD

Environment Policy

Environment Policy

As The Business School for the World, INSEAD is helping to develop the next generation of responsible business leaders. Many of our graduates strive to make the companies they work for more productive and efficient through entrepreneurship and innovation, and by contributing to the global effort to preserve the environment by establishing environmentally sound business practices.

We at INSEAD are also committed to minimising our impact on the environment. We are doing this by implementing systems and practices to reduce the energy we use and resources we consume, by recycling waste products, by replacing toxic products with non-toxic ones and through many other means. These FAQs help describe the actions we are taking to reduce our environmental footprint. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email us at Campus Services for the Europe Campus or at Operations Singapore for the Asia Campus.

Does INSEAD integrate environmental issues in their research and teaching?

Faculty and staff at INSEAD have been doing research in environmental issues as they relate to business since the 1960s, examining issues like industrial ecology (the environmental services that nature provides, like cleaning the air, water and soil), sustainability strategies for companies, sustainable societies, climate change and energy. Today, we have a research group focused on sustainability. If you would like to find out more information, please visit their website.

We also teach environmental issues throughout our educational programmes and in many different contexts. For example, in the MBA we offer an elective on Environmental Management in a Global Economy which focuses on environmental challenges faced by business and different approaches in finding powerful solutions. However, environmental issues are strongly integrated throughout the rest of the programme, including in the core required courses. Because few businesses are immune to environmental risks and opportunities, we try to teach students to integrate these considerations in their daily business life.

Being established in one of France’s grand forests, the Forêt de Fontainebleau, what is INSEAD doing to ensure the health of this precious natural reserve?

INSEAD moved to its current site in 1967 and since then has contributed to the protection of the forest. For example, as part of the agreement to build the Plessis-Mornay Learning Space, INSEAD agreed to reforest an equal section of the forest. In November 2002 the school reforested nearly 16 hectares (37.5 acres) of a former industrial site south of Fontainebleau near Montigny sur Loing with more than 2,100 oak, maple, linden, willow, beech and fruit trees. The reforested land has since been incorporated into the Fontainebleau forest.

What steps are taken to preserve the trees on the Europe Campus in Fontainebleau?

Trees on the Europe Campus are regularly maintained and replaced as needed to preserve the beauty of the park-like grounds. From April to June 2008, the Office National des Fôrets conducted an inventory of campus trees and evaluated the health of the trees as part of a three-year project called ‘Gestion du Patrimoine Forestier’ (Forest Patrimony Management). The second phase of the project, to cure or cut down sick trees and plant new ones, will be conducted over the next two years.

How many trees are there on the campus in Fontainebleau?

The Europe Campus boasts 275 trees including oak, pine, maple and other species. Some trees are highly recognisable natural features of the campus such as the three tall pines on the knoll in front of the restaurant. Others were planted to commemorate special events, such as the Tree of Liberty, a ginko biloba planted at The Cercle in 1989 to commemorate the bicentennial of the French Revolution.

What measures is INSEAD taking to reduce electricity use?

By controlling air conditioning use and making improvements to the system we are significantly reducing our electricity consumption. On the Europe Campus air conditioning is left on during the day but reduced to low at night. We are also updating the air conditioning system to ensure ample fresh air, regulate the CO2 rate, maintain a constant, comfortable temperature and reduce energy consumption by up to 40 percent. This system will be installed in the four amphis and flat rooms of Plessis-Mornay mid-October.

On the Asia Campus, as part of an energy-saving programme started in August 2006, we have modified the air conditioning system to improve efficiency and installed air cleaners in all amphis to improve air quality. In addition, air conditioning is turned off in unused rooms and a 24-hour ‘cool zone’ has been created. These steps have reduced electricity consumption by more than 25 percent, from a monthly average of 490,000 kWh to 380,000 kWh in January 2008.

In addition, low energy light bulbs have been installed across both campuses, and our ‘Lights-off Campaign’ encourages energy savings with ‘Not in use? Switch off’ stickers placed on all light switches. Motion detectors also have been put on lights for all toilets on the Asia Campus and one elevator is shut off during non-peak periods.

Does INSEAD use alternative energy sources?

Our Asia Campus purchases electricity from Singapore’s most environment-friendly power generation company which uses high-efficiency natural gas fired combined cycle plants for more than 95% of its energy production. All the hot water for the residences and the gym is solar powered using roof top solar panels and all the hot water for the restaurant is produced through a heat exchanger, using the natural hot air of Singapore to produce free hot water. The campus is also in preliminary investigations about putting solar cells on the roofs to generate electricity.

On the Europe Campus, INSEAD is currently evaluating new alternative energy technologies and will provide more information as these projects are developed.

What is INSEAD doing to reduce paper use?

Since October 2007, both campuses now use smaller and thinner paper hand towels which use less paper and less packaging, reduce waste, and save on the cost and environmental impact of transport. Both campuses have posted signs in the bar areas encouraging people to use coffee mugs rather than paper cups. The Asia Campus has also installed a mug rack at the bar and in November 2007 stopped using Styrofoam cups. INSEAD is also moving toward electronic versions of course packs but this is not always possible since some material is not yet available in electronic form.

Do our printers / print shop use recycled paper?

We use Eco-Efficiency paper in all our printers and photocopiers and for documents printed at the print shop. This paper is made with wood from sustainable forests. It uses less wood, water and energy to make and produces less post-consumer waste. All photocopiers have a sticker stating this. In addition, our office supplier provides us with logo envelopes printed on recycled paper. The Asia Campus print shop will also start using eco-friendly paper in 2009.

Does INSEAD recycle?

INSEAD has had a recycling programme in place for several years. Most recycling on the Asia Campus is invisible as the sorting is done at the rubbish collection centre. Both campuses have recycling zones where bins for different types of waste (paper, glass, plastic) are located. In addition, all teaching areas (flatrooms and amphis) in Fontainebleau have bins for recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

For example, from April to September 2008 the Asia Campus recycled:

548kg of cardboard boxes
179kg of newspaper
411kg of magazines and coloured paper
28kg of aluminium cans
65kg of plastic bottles
647kg of white paper
40kg of glass
0.2kg of batteries

What is INSEAD doing to reduce water use?

The Asia Campus has implemented several water-saving measures. Flush-less urinals have been installed to replace flushing urinals, which use about one litre of water per flush. Reduced water shower heads that use 50 percent less water have been installed in the residences and the gym. Steps have also been taken to reduce water usage by the gardener. As a result of its measures, the Asia Campus is currently undergoing certification as a ‘Water Efficient Building’ for which it may win an award. On both campuses sheets and towels at the residences are changed every two days unless a guest requests otherwise. 

What is INSEAD doing about its carbon footprint?

The school conducted a preliminary carbon footprint study in 2007. A more comprehensive study is currently underway. The results of the study will be made available as soon as they are complete.

How can students get involved in reducing INSEAD’s environmental footprint?

One way is by joining the INSEAD Energy Club, which aims to be a forum of discussion and networking for energy and environment related issues for all of the INSEAD community. Since its launch in January 2006, the club has met with considerable interest among MBA participants across both the Europe and Asia campuses.

INDEVOR was founded in 1993 and is the largest MBA student club at INSEAD. It serves as a forum for those interested in social, environmental, and ethical issues, often bridging the gap between business and the social sector. .

Green INSEAD Week was initiated by MBA students and is supported by the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre. It is held on the Europe Campus in March and on the Asia Campus in April. During the week, INSEAD welcomes distinguished speakers from across industries to discuss the effects, implications and necessities of the environment as a global issue. The week also provides INSEAD students and staff an opportunity to showcase their contributions to a greener campus and their overall dedication to the cause through information tables, social gatherings and local community involvement. 

What can I do to help reduce our environmental footprint?

Set your printer default settings to print double-sided, and turn off the automatically printed cover page (contact IT for help if needed)

Share electronic files, voicemail and e-mail with colleagues instead of creating paper memos. Think whether or not you really need to print

Use scrap paper to take notes instead of using notebooks, company pads, message pads or sticky notes. The print shop can supply notepads made from scrap paper on request 

Turn off non-essential and decorative lighting, especially in unoccupied areas such as restrooms, conference rooms, printer/photocopier rooms etc.

Bring your own re-usable water bottle to use at the water fountains or mug for hot beverages at the bar or drink dispensers

Share unused/unwanted office supplies with other departments 

Put on a sweater or open the blinds rather than increasing heating

If you live near campus, bike to work. If you don’t, carpool or taxi-pool with your colleagues

Use the stairs rather than the elevators. Elevators are high energy users, especially for climbing only one or two floors. It’s also good exercise

What is being done to encourage faculty, staff and students to use public transportation?

The Europe Campus in Fontainebleau has arranged a shuttle bus service that goes to and from the train station in Avon twice daily for people who commute by train from Paris. The Asia Campus in Singapore shares a shuttle bus with the building next door which goes to the Bouna Vista Mass Rapid Transit station as well as Holland Village. The Asia Campus also has showers for anyone cycling to campus.

Is there a taxi sharing system on campus?

The Europe Campus has had such a system in place since October 2006. Faculty and staff can access the taxi-sharing system by clicking here. On our Asia Campus in Singapore, there is not a taxi sharing system in place yet. However staff, MBA and EDP participants often share cabs.

How to keep your ecological conscience clear, keep fit AND get those chores done?

Cycle and bi-cycle of course!!
INSEAD staff now can now travel to and from campus by bicycle. The logistics are very simple: staff members simply have to leave their ID badge at the Main Reception in exchange for a bicycle, helmet and lock.

The service operates weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 10.00am to 4.00pm.