IÉSEG unveils its 2023-2024 Social and Environmental Impact Report
Did you know that IÉSEG has trained over 80% of its staff on environmental and social impact issues through the “Transition 2026” program? And that 80 students have been trained to become B Leaders by B Lab France as part of the partnership signed in 2023? Additionally, more than a third of Master’s theses and Consulting Projects focus on CSR topics, and 69 entrepreneurial projects supported by the IÉSEG Incubator have a social or environmental mission?
The Impact Report: promoting everyone’s daily commitment to CSR
Every year, IÉSEG unveils its Impact Report, which compiles the School’s innovative projects, strategic partnerships, successes and long-term initiatives. It highlights the day-to-day commitment of every IÉSEG employee, as well as that of its students, graduates and corporate partners, all of whom are fully involved in the environmental, economic and societal transition.
Social and environmental impact issues are at the heart of the School’s strategy, and are directly linked to 2 of the 5 pillars of its 2022-2027 strategic plan. In order to cover all of the School’s activities, in all their dimensions, the CSR strategy has been built around 4 pillars: Transition Pedagogy, Environmental Impact on School Operations, Research and Partnership with Impact, and Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being.
1. Transition pedagogy: developing knowledge, skills and passion for a sustainable future
First-year students involved in CSR missions
In terms of education, IÉSEG has a clear ambition: to train professionals committed to a better society. The stakes are high: we need to rethink economic models to integrate social inclusion while acting to combat climate change. The School puts responsibility and sustainability at the core of its curriculum. It provides a framework, a reference guide that supports its students throughout their academic career, and then into their professional lives. This multi-disciplinary, transition-based pedagogy aims to equip students with a sharp critical mind. Clear-sightedness, like the ability to stand back from preconceived ideas, enables us to act with acumen and finesse in all situations. > A few key figures: 100% of IÉSEG courses include CSR impact in their teaching; 76 electives are dedicated to social and environmental transition, 19 ECTS are allocated to compulsory courses in the PGE on the theme of transitions. > (Re)discover in the Impact Report: the success of the “Transition 2026” program, the implementation of actions with a social and environmental impact for the 1,610 students joining IÉSEG, the interdisciplinary “People – Planet – Profit” project.
“Transition 2026”: much more than just a training program
A key element of Pillar 1, “Transition 2026” is much more than just a training program: it aims to reshape the entire student experience, integrating sustainability at each and every level. As part of “Transition 2026”, the content of courses and electives has been reviewed, and the teaching of the Grande École program has been redesigned to better integrate sustainability. From their very first days at the School, students are also involved in impact actions, so that they are immediately involved and aware of these dimensions.
To make this fundamental change a reality, it was essential to get both the teaching and administrative teams involved. As a result, a mandatory 23-hour training program was launched, and has already been completed by over 80% of the school’s staff.
Lastly, “Transition 2026” will culminate in the drafting by each division and department of an operational roadmap incorporating CSR indicators specific to each, to be presented to the Executive Committee in March 2025. These roadmaps will be implemented over 3 years, starting in 2025.
2. School’s activities environmental impact: towards a responsible campus
Vauban building, Lille campus
Bringing a campus to life is an active process – even more so when it involves making it more eco-responsible, more inclusive and more sustainable. Optimizing resources is at the heart of this approach. IÉSEG strives to improve the efficiency of its energy and water consumption by deploying innovative energy efficiency solutions. In terms of purchasing and waste management, the School makes a point of promoting responsible practices geared towards reduction and recycling, in line with the principles of circular economy.
Finally, IÉSEG raises awareness among all staff of the environmental and social impact of its activities, particularly in terms of mobility, and develops concrete solutions to reduce its harmful effects. > A few key figures: the carbon footprint per capita has fallen by 13% compared with 2018-2019; 69 students have benefited from the #TakeTheTrain financial aid scheme to encourage students to use sustainable transport; the Lille and Paris – La Défense campuses offer 2,634 m² of green space.. >(Re)discover in the Impact Report: the Vauban building, a greener, more vibrant campus; the CO2 emissions reduction policy; “PAYZAN”, a company launched by Tristan FERTÉ and winner of the IÉSEG Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
3. Impact Research and Partnership: serving a collective impact
Les lauréats du Prix Créenso 2024
Understand and act, understand to act better. To increase the impact of its initiatives and reinforce its action in the field of sustainable development, the School relies on two essential elements: a rigorous scientific approach and strategic partnerships. This is why the School aims to diversify its partnerships (by also targeting B Corp-certified companies, NGOs, think tanks and public institutions), launches research programs focused on social and environmental issues, and recruits internationally renowned researchers to enrich and support the School’s sustainable development mission. IÉSEG aims to be a driving force for change, and a benchmark for responsible innovation.
> A few key figures: 41% of IÉSEG’s partners are NGOs, associations, public institutions or B Corp / impact companies; 40% of entrepreneurial projects supported by the IÉSEG Incubator have a social or environmental impact mission; 66 research conferences addressed CSR-related themes. > (Re)discover in the Impact Report: the growing partnership with B Lab France; the winners of the 2024 Créenso Prize; the 2 new research chairs dedicated to impact issues launched in 2024.
4. Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being: making the most of differences
Winners of the Tous Han’Scène 2024 Prize
IÉSEG believes that diversity enhances collective intelligence and boosts creativity, and is therefore actively committed to promoting diversity on its campuses. By bringing together people from a wide range of social, geographical and cultural backgrounds, the School enhances the quality of learning, reinforces the excellence of research and fosters the spirit of inclusiveness that characterizes its campuses. Thanks to their differences, talents are revealed and brought together in an open approach that encourages each individual to reach new heights.
In this way, we develop values of understanding, empathy, solidarity and mutual support, which are essential if we are to make diversity and inclusion lasting realities, both at school and in the professional world. Differences contribute to the expression and development of each individual’s qualities.
>A few key figures: 120 scholarships awarded by the IÉSEG Foundation to students at the School; 70 middle and high school students welcomed as part of the Cordées de la Réussite program; a score of 95/10 for the Professional Equality Index.
>(Re)discover in the Impact Report: the partnership signed with Télémaque to promote equal opportunities in education; the signing of the L’Autre Cercle charter to combat LGBT+phobia; the 2 trophies won at the Tous’HanScène competition.
