INSEAD, the Business School for the World, commits to a 67% cut of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, from 2019 levels, with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The school has prepared a detailed plan, with several interim targets, to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across each of its four locations – in Fontainebleau, France; Singapore; Abu-Dhabi; and San Francisco.
The INSEAD reduction pledge is in line with the UNFCCC’s 1.5-degree target. The INSEAD reduction objectives focus on two scopes of greenhouse gas emissions. First, direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, also known as Scope 1. Second, indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, what is called Scope 2.
The school has prepared a detailed plan on how to reach its scope 1 and scope 2 reduction targets. The plan includes the introduction of energy management systems, behavioral and operational changes, green contracts and investment in renewable energy sources such as geothermal on its Europe Campus or photovoltaics on the Europe and Asia campuses.
These concrete actions are expected to reduce total INSEAD GHG emissions by 2035 as follows:
INSEAD will initiate an internal consultation addressing Scope 3 emissions, linked to its operations, supply chain, and air travel. True to its “business as a force for good” mission, INSEAD will inform, educate, and engage its employees, students, participants, and alumni in order to influence these Scope 3 emissions downwards.
As a premier educational and research institution INSEAD must play its part and help pave the way for a sweeping shift in mindset, norms, use of technology, and business practices among our global community.
“Sustainability is at the core of the INSEAD vision that Business is a Force for Good. We must act urgently to limit our direct and indirect emissions and avoid a climate catastrophe that would cost lives and livelihoods,” says INSEAD Dean, Professor Ilian Mihov. "INSEAD's greatest impact is through education and the development of responsible leaders. We aim to continue to offer new ways to address this defining challenge and translate our impact from classrooms to boardrooms worldwide."
“INSEAD has a key role to play to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy, from reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions, all the way to enabling our students and alumni to turn management education into climate action. INSEAD’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and publicly report on progress matters, because efforts in one aspect of our work – research, teaching, outreach, operations – reinforces efforts in other areas,” remarks Katell Le Goulven, Executive Director of the INSEAD Hoffmann Global Institute for Business and Society.
"The greenhouse gas reduction commitment applies to INSEAD's operations in facilities. It is important to our past, current and future students, that the school ‘walks the talk’, when it speaks about sustainability,” says Attila Cselotei, INSEAD's Chief Operating Officer. “I am pleased to see the broad support received during the pledge preparation from our students, customers, faculty, Board, and employees. We will need everyone’s attention to reach our ambitious goal.”
