Business schools are going green. Some are getting green around the edges, others are green right through; and at least one is practising what it preaches. By Widget Finn

According to Dr. Gail Whiteman "The goal of an MBA is to prepare business executives for the future which is looking increasingly green according to key players like the EU and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. A recent report assessing the business operating context in 2027 sponsored by corporates including Shell and Vodafone, indicates that the state of the natural environment will result in new rules for business success."

Dr. Whiteman is associate professor at RSM Erasmus University's Department of Business-Society Management where the MBA programmes are hot on sustainability issues.  Visits are organised to firms like Interface who are global leaders in tackling climate change, and the Global OneMBA recently held its first annual forum on sustainability.

Students are introduced to the idea of the impact of decision-making beyond short-term aspects, and this theme – taking the long view – distinguishes the new focus of MBAs. Nunzio Quacquarelli, editor of topmba.com and director of the World MBA Tour, defines a green MBA as "one which takes CSR very seriously. In teaching business to its students it provides a broad perspective on the social and environmental impact of business decisions."

Green-ness includes sustainability, ethics, CSR (corporate social responsibility) and a host of other contemporary causes. Audencia Nantes School of Management doesn't offer a specifically green MBA, but focuses on global responsibility through awards to oustanding firms, has a chair in microfinance and ethical audits carried out by students on companies. It also sells Fairtrade tea and coffee on campus.

Picking up the subject of practising – or drinking – what you preach, Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University knows that green credentials,  like charity, begin at home.  Ben Dale, business resources manager, explains "We have made huge efforts in attempting to reduce energy usage and ultimately decrease carbon emissions. Our new building was developed on the site of a disused cinema, and 95% of the materials have been recycled. A central lightwell reduces the need for artificial light, rainwater from the roofs is filtered and reused, and solar panels provide heating for hot water."   

When two or three business schools are gathered together, rankings are bound to result.The Beyond Greypinstripes ranking 'picks up where conventional rankings leave off' (it claims),  judging business schools on their coverage of environmental and social stewardship.  ESADE, second in the most recent (2005) rankings, includes a social or environmental content in 90% of its current MBA core courses. Danielle Elkin, a current student, reflects her generation's growing interest in green business issues.  "Supporting environmental initiatives in business is simply smart and practical.  Risks are reduced and 'going green' provides a competitive advantage by increasing energy efficiency and legitimacy in the eyes of customers who want to support responsible businesses."

Some business schools have bolted on 'green' electives to their standard MBA programmes, others take a more radical course.  Ashridge students look at climate change issues in its Business in Society module. Said Business School has introduced a compulsory course as part of the MBA programme focussing on 'wicked problems', that is complex, socially messy and seemingly intractable issues. The dean Professor Colin Mayer says "The new MBA Capstone programme has arisen out of Said's commitment to ensure that we address real world issues of significance".

At Cranfield School of Management The Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility feeds into its MBA programme. The Centre's director David Grayson argues "Corporate responsibility should be built into business purpose, not a bolt-on. Similarly business responsibility and sustainability should be integrated throughout an MBA programme."

Henley Management College has redesigned its MBA to include sustainable management in each of its modules. Marc Day, director of studies for the Executive MBA says "CSR is not just in one module, it's threaded throughout the MBA so that it will change the way people think and believe."

The greening of business schools is already having an influence on the current generation of entrepreneurs. Ron Gonen planned his business RecycleBank, which offers the public  financial incentives for recycling, when he started his MBA at Columbia Business School, and was supported by the incubator programme. His former professor is chairman of the board. And after graduating from the Tuck School of Business, Lisa Mims co-founded an organic fabric and wallpaper company Mod Green Pod.

Clearly business schools can contribute to a greener future by influencing and supporting tomorrow's business leaders through their greener MBAs.

Widget Finn writes regularly on management education for The Times and the Daily Telegraph UK newspapers