Sustainability Takes Global Executive MBA to London

“You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Having rigorous tracking systems to accurately measure a company’s environmental impact and sustainability progress is critical.” — That’s one of the key takeaways of Chingiz Torobekov, a Foster School of Business Global Executive MBA student, following an immersive learning experience in London.

Torobekov, along with Foster students and faculty, recently traveled to the U.K. for an intensive week of learning about sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG).  

The trip was a game-changer.  

Global Executive MBA students spent a week meeting with international financial executives and sustainability experts, while also cementing lasting connections with each other. The students, who hail from 11 countries, explored the pressing need to advance more sustainable practices across business sectors. 

Global Executive MBA sustainability immersion

During the London immersion, students learned from experts at Imperial College London’s Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment. They also gained insights from leadership at BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Impax Asset Management, Mazars, and Futerra about integrating sustainability into business strategy. From behind-the-scenes tours to Q&As, students gained insights to apply to their future leadership roles in business, government, and entrepreneurship. 

Leading the trip was Kevin Wilhelm. An international expert in the intersection of climate change and the business world, Wilhelm teaches ESG at Foster and is the author of Return on Sustainability: How Business Can Address Climate Change in an Uncertain Economy.

“Seeing the learning, the connections, opportunities, and possibilities for each of these change-makers in the Global Executive MBA program to make a difference on this issue has been nothing short of amazing,” Wilhem said. 

Connecting international business and ESG 

While learning about sustainability was at the core of the immersion experience, it was also a journey of discovery, revealing a dynamic world of ESG initiatives.  

Students shared these takeaways from their weeklong study of the intersection of international business and ESG: 

“[There are] significant hurdles when guiding companies toward sustainability initiatives. These challenges include navigating data collection complexities, addressing greenwashing concerns, ensuring data transparency, and measuring impacts/effects, especially in terms of Scope 3 emissions.”—Himanshi Goyal 

“Given that the decisions made by present leaders will shape our future, the efforts of institutions like the Grantham Institute in educating and reshaping the mindsets of leaders concerning climate are crucial. The variety of leaders within government and organizations significantly influences the journey toward achieving Net Zero. Their perspectives on climate change and adherence—whether visionary, hesitant, or well-meaning—dictate the strides or setbacks experienced. Consequently, it becomes imperative to not only educate prospective leaders on climate issues and the consequences, but also to actively involve current policymakers and business heads in enhancing their understanding for making more informed choices.”—Sadie Josephs 

“It became clear from the presentation by the Grantham Institute that implementing policies and regulations to incentivize businesses and individuals to adopt low-carbon technologies, and fostering innovation and collaboration to drive systemic change towards a more sustainable economy, is extremely critical.”—Ninad Khadse 

Integrating sustainable policies into international business

Through on-site visits and seminars, the students witnessed how global leaders are approaching various climate risk-related issues. From integrating sustainability into core business strategies and transparent reporting of ESG performance to managing risks, engaging stakeholders, and driving innovation, they covered more ground than they could have imagined. 

The weeklong immersion experience is a cornerstone of Foster’s Global Executive MBA, a one-year program designed for experienced professionals who want to elevate their expertise in global business strategy and innovation. Sustainability is built into multiple facets of the program, offering diverse perspectives for driving innovation and improvements within global business organizations.  

Each year, the Global Executive MBA cohort travels internationally for a deep dive into the issues and challenges that are top-of-mind for global leaders. The trip offers students an unrivaled opportunity to learn from—and connect with—a roster of international experts and organizations. 

 Learn more about Foster’s Global Executive MBA program here.