Waterloo programs top sustainability survey

Two University of Waterloo programs have finished first in a survey that ranks the ‘planet friendliness’ of various academic programs, including one dominated by universities with a school of business.
Environment and Business and Planning finished first in the business and planning categories in the annual ranking by Corporate Knights magazine of how well sustainability issues are integrated into curriculums and the student experience.
Despite not having a school or faculty of business, UW finished first amongst undergraduate business programs. The Faculty’s Centre for Environment and Business (CEB) finished first amongst 47 institutions across Canada. According to Corporate Knights’ news release on the rankings, UW stands as a model of how business and the environment can be integrated. Faculty members research responsible business and teach courses that “connect these two seemingly incompatible subjects.”
Corporate Knights analyzes how Canadian universities fare in integrating sustainability into the school experience. Its definition of sustainability considers issues of social justice, human rights, professional ethics, cultural diversity, climate change and conservation.
Steven B. Young, director of the CEB, notes the success of the program has a great deal to do with the fact that it is part of a environment faculty, rather than a conventional business school.
“Societal needs are being addressed as businesses seek to understand and respond to growing social concerns regarding the environment and the greening of business,” says Young. “The program also addresses students’ educational needs. We saw enrolment increase dramatically in the last two years, as greater numbers of high-quality students sought a practical education that aligns with their outlook.”