Prof. Alon Rozen
With all the back-pedaling in recent months on climate, ESG, and sustainability initiatives, especially in the US, I hope that I can say – without ruffling too many feathers – that the future of business can no longer be ‘take, make, and dispose’ (i.e., linear). It’s hard to deny the urgency of rethinking how we produce, consume, and discard so that we extract less, produce less and consume less (or better). And yet, we are now seeing businesses paradoxically scrambling to understand ESG and sustainable accounting frameworks, on the one hand, while trying to comprehend why the same investors who penalized greenwashing and called for strict net-zero objectives in 2024 are now backing off or reversing course, on the other. So, the trillion-dollar question that now looms for business schools everywhere: how can we train leaders to possess the competence and confidence to tackle these challenges head-on so they are doing the right thing despite rapidly swirling and ambiguous political winds?
Challenge accepted!
At École des Ponts Business School, we take this challenge personally—after all, we’ve been “in business to make a better world” since 1987. As the business school of the renowned French engineering school,
École nationale des ponts et chaussées – Institut Polytechnique de Paris (the ENPC), which is under the tutelage of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, we are naturally proponents of triple bottom line accounting by which we take people, planet and profit into account. And we try to recruit participants who share our values and who want to make an impact themselves.
Given CEO Magazine’s continued focus on Green MBAs, I would like to share with you some of the thought and design that went into our LeadTech Global Executive MBA, which we co-run with EADA Business School in Barcelona. We have designed this program so that it sits squarely at the intersection of technology, innovation, leadership and impact (social impact, sustainability and circularity). And we don’t just pay lip service to the concept of a sustainable and circular economy: we teach it integrally, research it intensively, and encourage our students to live it authentically. Every single participant graduates not just with an MBA but with a certificate in Circular Economy. Why? Because in tomorrow’s world, it won’t just be a competitive advantage—it’ll be table stakes.
“We don’t just pay lip service to the concept of a sustainable and circular economy: we teach it integrally, research it intensively, and encourage our students to live it authentically.”
Not a nice-to-have, a better-to-have
Call it European values, but we are enamored with the core tenets of the circular economy – using assets longer (to extract and waste less), reusing assets more often (to produce less), and encouraging usership over ownership (to extract, produce and waste less). We see the circular economy as a more advanced and profitable business model that doesn’t sacrifice people, planet or profits along the way. This means that going circular is not a nice-to-have, which generates good karma at the expense of higher costs; it is a better-to-have, which allows businesses to generate more positive impact alongside higher profits.
More broadly, learning about sustainability is nice, but unless you practice it, it risks becoming an exercise in policies and pie charts, which is why, in addition to mastering the complexities of Circular Economy frameworks and ESG metrics, our students tackle Social Impact Challenges and learn how to leverage Tech for Good through our ReTech (Responsible Technology) Center. The name of our program, LeadTech, is a testament to our vision that tech professionals need to sharpen their leadership skills and future leaders need to hone their technology skills. Together with an advanced understanding and practice of sustainability, these components create a leadership ethos that transcends profits and ensures we keep people and planet in the loop.
However, the key to driving this change forward, especially in the current political environment, isn’t just the frameworks we teach or the projects we assign—it’s about equipping leaders with the ability to stand firm and advocate for sustainable action in the face of opposition. And let’s be clear: opposition is growing. As calls for a rollback on sustainability and climate action intensify, business leaders need more than technical acumen; they need a voice—and the courage to use it.
Why leaders must find (and fine-tune) their voice
The circular economy is not just an operational shift; it’s a cultural one that requires a new mindset. Driving this change in an organization requires leaders who can articulate the why, the what, and the how behind sustainability. They must be able to inspire teams, build consensus, and rally stakeholders around goals that may not deliver immediate returns (a horizon 1 timescale but are critical for long-term resilience and impact (on a horizon 3 timescale).
This is particularly vital now, as we are facing what I like to call the “sustainability boomerang” that is about to hit us all in the face. Detractors question the economic feasibility of green initiatives, frame ESG as a form of corporate or governmental overreach, or, worse, deny the urgency of climate action altogether. Business leaders must learn how to counter these narratives—not with virtue signaling but with evidence and a clear vision for how sustainable practices are both the ethical choice AND the profitable choice.
At École des Ponts Business School, we believe this voice is developed not just through knowledge but through experience. This is why our programs are designed to simulate the complexities of real-world leadership challenges. Our Social Impact Challenge, for instance, forces participants to develop a progressive narrative (change as transformational and beneficial) and leverage emerging technologies in order to confront the tough realities of implementing change in resistant environments. It’s not just about “being the change you want to see” — it’s about how to do it effectively.
“Every single participant graduates not just with an MBA but with a certificate in Circular Economy. Why? Because in tomorrow’s world, it won’t just be a competitive advantage—it’ll be table stakes.”
Leadership in an increasingly polarized world
In today’s polarized world, simply knowing the right course of action isn’t enough. Leaders must have the emotional intelligence, communication skills, intercultural maturity and business savvy to navigate difficult conversations and find value-creating win-win solutions. Once you understand that if someone loses, everyone loses, negotiations and difficult discussions are handled differently. And all discussions about new energy solutions, new business models, and redesigned value chains are difficult, as they are new and relatively unknown. As people clamor for certainty in a more uncertain world, leaders must be able to connect the dots between sustainability, innovation, change and profitability for their boards, investors, teams and partners.
To that end, our LeadTech Global Executive MBA emphasizes the development of what we call “responsible leadership.” This isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a practice. It means understanding the intersection of technology, innovation, and sustainability, but also recognizing the human dimension of leadership—how to inspire others, build coalitions, and maintain a sense of purpose even when the path forward isn’t clear. It requires a growth mindset, embracing uncertainty, as well as the principles of lean innovation like experimentation (test and learn), empathy (co-innovation with the people you are solving problems for), and evidence (as in the famous quip, “in God we trust, all others bring data”).
Business Schools as catalysts for change in a complex world
The world feels increasingly complex and uncertain. Within that context, it seems obvious that business schools need to be more than institutions of learning—they need to be incubators for systemic change, creative problem-solving, and new forms of collaboration. We have the unique ability to shape the next generation of leaders, equipping them not just with tools but with the mindset to tackle the grand challenges of our time. Whether it’s through the integration of Circular Economy certification, the inclusion of real-world impact challenges, or the creation of centers like ReTech that explore the societal implications of emerging technologies, École des Ponts Business School aims to lead by example and host the conversation. But we can’t do it alone. This is a collective effort—one that requires partnerships between academia, industry, and government. Together, we can ensure that sustainability isn’t seen as a trend or a luxury but as the foundation of a thriving global economy. And luckily, we keep finding kindred spirits wherever we look – whether in Spain (EADA and IESE), China (Tsinghua School of Economics and Management) or Japan (Shizenkan University) – such that my discussions with other deans leave me encouraged and rationally optimistic. We are not alone.
“We have the unique ability to shape the next generation of leaders, equipping them not just with tools but with the mindset to tackle the grand challenges of our time.”
The road ahead
As I reflect on the state of leadership today, I’m reminded of a simple truth: progress is rarely linear. While I think that an oval economy (somewhere between linear and circular) is a more realistic ambition, I also know that there will be setbacks – as we’re seeing now with the wavering commitment to ESG and climate goals. But those setbacks are precisely why strong, principled leadership is so essential.
So, to conclude, if you are reading this article, you may be considering a “green MBA” for yourself. For this, I congratulate you. Whatever program you choose, please understand that sustainability is no longer a comfortable choice; it’s a growing necessity. Find a program that you believe will equip you to thrive in a world of uncertainty and guide you to finding an emboldened version of your voice. Learning these MBA skills, with the aim of using them to champion what’s right, is the ultimate competitive advantage. The question you should ask yourself isn’t whether you can afford to lead this change; it’s whether you can afford not to. And we all should be asking ourselves the same question.
“Together, we can ensure that sustainability isn’t seen as a trend or a luxury but as the foundation of a thriving global economy.”
Biography
Dean Alon Rozen is CEO and Professor of Innovation at École des Ponts Business School.
