Welcome to Sustainability at INSEAD
Explore INSEAD’s sustainability programmes, initiatives, insights, frameworks, and resources designed to empower responsible leaders. As a business school with sustainability programmes embedded across executive and degree education, INSEAD leads in sustainability research and practice. From research to practical applications, INSEAD equips business leaders to drive positive social, environmental, and economic impact. Discover how we are shaping a more sustainable world and join us on this journey.
We are convinced that every individual and every organization has a role to play in our time's greatest challenge. The time to step forward and act collectively is now.
We are changing business education today for a better tomorrow, delivering both prosperity and positive social and environmental impact.
Francisco Veloso, Dean of INSEAD
INSEAD Approach to Sustainability
Sustainability is embedded across INSEAD degree programmes and campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The school addresses sustainability in business by integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into leadership development, strategy, and decision-making. This holistic approach ensures sustainability is not treated as a standalone topic, but as a core component of responsible business practice.
Sustainability framework
Led by the Hoffmann Institute, INSEAD’s sustainability strategy is built on four pillars: Knowledge, Learning, Engagement, and Walk the Talk.
This framework allows for the transformational integration of sustainability across all functions of the school.
"We refer to sustainability in business as the integration of social and environmental issues in business decisions."
INSEAD's definition of sustainability
Knowledge
INSEAD is a leading institution for management education and research. Our faculty develop new theories, insights, and business models to drive private sector prosperity and societal progress.
Learning
INSEAD inspires, educates and equips future leaders to create value both for their organisations and for society – from our MBA, Masters and PhD programmes to Executive Education.
Engagement
INSEAD engages with the alumni community, build relationships with public and private sector organisations, and other stakeholders to create real-world impact.
Walk the Talk
INSEAD is a school that leads by example in integrating societal impact into its operations, and contributes to local and global progress and prosperity.
Sustainability Research and Insights
INSEAD conducts research on corporate responsibility, ESG integration, and sustainable business models through its Sustainable Business Initiative. Faculty share insights via INSEAD Knowledge, publications, and case studies, helping organisations apply sustainability in practice. The Hoffmann Global Institute supports cross-disciplinary research and collaboration worldwide.
Sustainability Programmes and Learning Opportunities
INSEAD offers sustainability education for leaders at all stages. For senior executives and decision-makers, the school’s executive education includes programmes such as the Business Sustainability Programme and the Sustainability Leadership Programme for Senior Executives, which focus on strategic ESG integration and sustainable business transformation. Specialised online programmes like Strategies for a Circular Economy provide practical tools for circular and regenerative business models.
Sustainability themes are also deeply embedded across INSEAD’s degree programmes, including the MBA, Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), Master in Management (MiM), Executive Master in Finance (EMFin), and Executive Master in Change (EMC). These programmes feature electives, core courses, and capstone experiences that prepare students to lead responsibly and create long-term impact.
INSEAD also recognises impactful work through sustainability awards, celebrating initiatives that demonstrate measurable social, environmental, and economic progress.
A History of Sustainability at INSEAD
For more than 60 years, INSEAD has played an important role in developing responsible business leaders, reflecting on the link between business, environment and society.
1968
INSEAD becomes one of the first business schools to admit female graduates.1989
Creation of the Centre for the Management of Environmental and Social Responsibility (CMER) becoming of of the first formal mechanisms at INSEAD to examine social responsibility.2002
Creation of the Humanitarian Research Group to identify best practices for disaster preparedness and response coordination.2006
Creation of the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Programmes (ISEP), now running as the Hans Wahl Impact Entrepreneurship Programme.2007
Creation of the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre (ISIC) to bring together experts and research streams as a resource for business leaders and students to mainstream these issues into learning activities.2018
Creation of the Hoffmann Institute through a historic donation of €40 million commitment from André Hoffmann and his wife Rosalie. Established to coordinate and reinforce all sustainability action across the school.2020
Creation of the INSEAD Gender Initiative to tackle gender inequality.2023
INSEAD launches its renewed MBA curriculum, embedding sustainability into all its 14 core courses and introduces a mandatory capstone challenging students to integrate sustainability learnings across all management areas.In the Spotlight
INSEAD Explains Sustainability
Les Conférences de l'INSEAD - Thomas Pesquet
How to Fix A Hidden Climate Threat
Connecting Across Disconnections
Getting Shareholders on Board With Your Sustainability Vision
