Exploring careers in sustainability in India we find that there are some niche opportunities offered to MBA graduates from top tier schools like the ISB MBA or an IIM MBA. Some examples of career roles offered after an ISB MBA or a top tier MBA in India are Portfolio manager roles and Sustainability Consultant roles. Portfolio Manager roles: The Portfolio Manager role requires the MBA graduate to be involved with multi asset investment research, ESG implementation, risk management, reporting and performance attribution. In addition to hands on experience in ESG or sustainable investing strategies the MBA graduate would be expected to possess experience in tracking sectors and presenting investment thesis to portfolio managers. Basic programming skills like Python, SQL, VBA and a CFA qualification in addition to the top tier MBA are expected qualifications for the role. Sustainability Consultant: This role is offered by consulting firms in India. Broadly this role requires strategy experience preferably in sustainability, industry experience in Energy and Circularity. This role is ideal for MBA graduates from top tier schools in the country with a strong experience of working on carbon emissions measurement, lifecycle analysis and reduction levers. Sustainability is much more than just a buzzword for the industry today. One option is to go ahead with a top tier MBA like the ISB MBA and get sufficient sector knowledge in sustainability. An ISB MBA followed by the specific specialised knowledge or certifications helps the professionals develop in the niche area of sustainability jobs. Which schools globally offer specialisations for sustainability MBA? 1. MIT Sloan School of Management 2. INSEAD 3. Said School of Business 4. Fuqua school of business 5. Harvard Business School 6. IE Business School 7. Cornell SC Johnson School of Business - Johnson’s Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise 8. Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus includes the UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education into their MBA curriculum 9. London Business School Which MBA programs in India provide opportunities for a career in the sustainability sector?
Top Tier MBA programs like ISB MBA or the IIM MBA. One year MBA Programs like ISB MBA caters to the basic framework of management skills. Combined with deep sector knowledge and certifications, it is the best track for a global career.
IIM Lucknow - Post Graduate Programme Sustainable Management (PGPSM)
Master's Program In Sustainability Management (MBA-SM) - Xavier School Of Sustainability Management
Indian Institute of Foreign Management - Post Graduate Diploma In Sustainability Management (PGDSM)
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management - MBA – Energy and Environment
SPJAIN School of Global Management
MBA ( Business Sustainability ) - TERI SAS
Name of the University - Harvard Business School
24 More Sustainability Related Courses Offered Across The World: 1. Harvard Business School Online Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Sustainable Business Strategy Mode of the Program - Online Duration of the Program - 3 weeks Cost of the Program - $1,750 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate Dates and Deadlines - Application deadline for September 2022 course is 5 September Application deadline for November 2022 course is 31 October 2. Columbia Climate School Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Master Of Science In Sustainability Management Location - United States Cost of the Program - $2,428 per point (credit) + Other charges Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Fall 2022- May 15, 2022 Spring 2023- Nov. 1, 2022 3. University of Oxford Name of the Sustainability Development Course – MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment Location - England Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Applications for courses offered for admission in 2023-24 will open on 1 September 2022 4. MIT Management Sloan School Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Sustainability Initiative Location - United States Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate 5. Harvard Extension School Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Sustainability Graduate Certificate Location - United States Mode of the Program - Online and On Campus option Duration of the Program - Average time: 2 Years Cost of the Program - Average total cost - $15,500 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate
6. University of Cambridge Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Sustainability and Leadership Mode of the Program - Online, tutor-assisted Duration of the Program - 8 weeks online, 6–10 hours per week Cost of the Program - £2,200 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate 7. New York University Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Corporate Sustainability Mode of the Program - Online Duration of the Program - 14-week Cost of the Program - $2,200.00 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate 8. University of California- UCLA Extension Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Sustainability Environment Studies Location - United States Mode of the Program - Online/In person Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate Dates and Deadlines - Summer 2022 Enrollment begins: 25 April Fall 2022 Enrollment begins: July 25 Winter 2023 Enrollment begins: November 7 Spring 2023 Enrollment begins: February 6 9. The University of Sydney Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Master of Sustainability Location - Australia Mode of the Program - Face to Face Duration of the Program - 1.5 Years (Full-time) Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Semester 1- 25 January of the Commencing year Semester 2- 25 June of the Commencing year 10. London School of Economics and Political Science- University of London Name of the Sustainability Development Course - MSc in Environment and Development Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time Cost of the Program - Home: £18,024 Overseas: £26,232 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Admission Start Date: 26 September 2022 Admission Deadline: None- Rolling Admission 11. London School of Economics and Political Science- University of London Name of the Sustainability Development Course - MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time Cost of the Program - Home: £20,136 Overseas: £27,984 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Admission Start Date: 26 September 2022 Admission Deadline: None- Rolling Admission 12. London School of Economics and Political Science- University of London Name of the Sustainability Development Course - MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time Cost of the Program - Home: £18,024 Overseas: £26,232 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Admission Start Date: 26 September 2022 Admission Deadline: None- Rolling Admission 13. University of Warwick Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Bachelor of Arts and Science in Global Sustainable Development Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - 3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with intercalated year Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors Dates and Deadlines - Start Date: 25 September 2023 14. Unilasalle institut polytechnique Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Bachelor in Environment and Sustainable Development Location - France Mode of the Program - On Campus Duration of the Program - Training Duration: 3 years Cost of the Program - Tuition fees: 7 000 € Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors 15. Murdoch University Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Sustainability development Location - Australia Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors 16. London School of Economics and Political Science - University of London Name of the Sustainability Development Course - BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - 3 years full-time Cost of the Program - Tuition fees 2023 New Home Students: £9,250 per year International Students: £24,264 per year Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors Dates and Deadlines - Academic year (2023/24) Application deadline:25 January 2023 17. The University of Edinburgh Name of the Sustainability Development Course - MA in Sustainable Development Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - 4 years full-time Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters 18. PSL UNIVERSITE Paris Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Bachelors in Sustainability Science Location - France Duration of the Program - 3 Years Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors 19. University of Papua New Guinea Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Bachelor of Sustainable Development Location - Papua New Guinea Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors 20. Centre for Environment Education Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Certificate Course on Climate Change Mode of the Program - Online Duration of the Program - 1 week Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate Dates and Deadlines - January – February 21. Loughborough University Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Msc in International Sustainable Development Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - Full-time: 1 Year Part-time: Up to 4 Years Cost of the Program - Full time Course Tuition fee (Uk Students): £11,500 per annum Tuition fee (International Students): £22,100 per annum Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters Dates and Deadlines - Start Date: January 2023 22. University of Greenwich Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Bsc Honours in Climate Change Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - Full-time: 3 Years & Part-time: 4-6 Years Cost of the Program - Home Students fee: £9,250 per year International Students fee: £15,100 per year Part-time(per 30 credit): £2,313 Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Bachelors Dates and Deadlines - Start month: September 23. University of Manchester Name of the Sustainability Development Course - MSc in International Development: Environment Climate Change and Development Location - United Kingdom Duration of the Program - Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years Cost of the Program - MSc (full-time) UK students : £12,500 per annum International, including EU, students: £24,000 per annum MSc (part-time) UK students: £6,250 per annum International, including EU, students: £12,000 per annum Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Masters 24. University of Pennsylvania Name of the Sustainability Development Course - Certificate in Climate Change Mode of the Program - Online Duration of the Program - Accelerated 8 week Level of the course (MBA/ Masters/ Diploma/ Certificate): Certificate Dates and Deadlines - Fall 1: August 15 Fall 2: October 1 Spring 1: December 15 Spring 2: February 15 Summer: May 15
What are some specialised industry skills expected of a professional in Sustainability? Working in sustainability after an ISB MBA may lead one towards specialising for the below mentioned certifying bodies.
CaGBC - Canada Green Building Council
BOMA - Building Owners and Managers Association International,
LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
One part of the skill set in sustainability means that a professional understands the requirements and the means to comply to the norms laid out by these bodies. Life after an ISB MBA in a career in sustainability would require one to be well versed with:
External sustainability reporting frameworks and standards like
a. Global Reporting Initiative, b. SASB - Sustainability Accounting Standards Board c. CDP - a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for environmental impact. 2. Monitoring trends, 3. Evaluating changes/impacts 4. Consulting on ESG - Environment Social Governance issues and 5. Developing ESG - Environment Social Governance strategies 6. Data governance tools and reporting 7. Data risk mitigation 8. Collaboration, teamwork and relationship building skills to influence and collaborate across multiple levels, cultures and functions in the organisation What are the different qualifications acceptable for a sustainability jobs? 1. Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability, Finance, Environmental Science, Engineering or related technical field 2. Top tier MBA like the ISB MBA or Masters preferred 3. Working knowledge of OSHA safety and health regulations in general industry (29 CFR Part 1910) - Required for Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHSS) track In addition to the ISB MBA what are some International certifications that support in a career in sustainability?
Certified Manager of Commercial Properties by BOMA International
LEED Green Associate
LEED Green AP
LEED v4.1 education
CaBGC Zero Carbon standard development certification
Andy Kesteloo Memorial Student Project Award
BOMA Energy Efficiency Program
BOMA Managing Industrial Properties Course
SASB - Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) Credential
Biosafety Professional - Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHSS) track
Certified Biosafety Professional by the American Biological Safety Association - for Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHSS) track
Certified Safety Professional (CSP) - for Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHSS) track
What are some International career options for sustainability professionals?
Sustainability Analyst - Minimum of 2-5 years of green building certification work experience.
Sustainability Consultant - 4-7 years of related experience necessary, or relevant post graduate degree in lieu of work experience
Manager of Sustainability Data Governance - 7+ years' work experience, exposure in CPG industry
Senior Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Specialist (EHSS) - 7+ years' experience in EHS field with progressive roles and responsibilities
Sustainable Finance Director - around 8 years experience in ESG/Sustainability Strategy; Climate Risk Modelling Sustainable Finance- including Impact Investing; and, ESG Investments; Green Bonds and Sustainability/ESG Reporting.
What's happening in India for Sustainability? These are some organisations actively participating in building the framework for education and policies for sustainability in India. 1. Centre for Environment Education (CEE) which is the nodal agency for implementing UNDESD in India; 2. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); 3. Bharati Vidya Peeth (BVP); 4. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE); 5. World Wide fund (WWF); 6. National Council for Science Museums (NSCM) 7. The Climate Reality Project, India 8. Mobius Foundation 9. Foundation For Environmental Education (FEE) 10. Centre for Environment Communication (CEC) 11.The Grantham Institute - Climate Change and Environment 12. Global Foundation for Advancement of Environment and Human Wellness 13. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots 14. SEED (Society for Environment Education & Development) 15. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 16. UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) 17. TERRE Policy Centre We hope this has got you started in terms of what this career option has to offer and the kind of work one can expect in sustainability. These are pointers for aspirants to the ISB MBA to continue their research if the sustainability sector enthuses them. This is the research compiled by our ISB admission consultants. Contact an experienced ISB admission consultant at Goalisb to discuss your profile for a fit with the ISB MBA program.