Naomi Birdthistle
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of attending the Accounting for Sustainability Summit in London, hosted by S&P Global and the Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) network. The Accounting for Sustainability initiative was established in 2004 by King Charles III, who was then the Prince of Wales. His vision was to inspire finance leaders to embed environmental and social considerations into the heart of business strategy and decision-making. Accounting for Sustainability aims to close the gap between sustainability and financial decision-making by empowering CFOs, investors, and accounting professionals with practical tools, robust frameworks, and collaborative networks. Its core mission is to embed sustainability into everyday business practices—enabling organisations to effectively respond to climate change, safeguard natural ecosystems, and create long-term value for both society and the economy.
The A4S Summit, which was held in London, brought together leaders from finance, policy, and academia to explore how we can align corporate strategy with evolving global standards and drive meaningful climate action. The Accounting for Sustainability Summit emphasised several strategic themes that are shaping the future of sustainable finance and business leadership. One of the key areas of focus was nature and biodiversity, where we explored how organisations can integrate nature-related risks and opportunities into financial planning. This includes aligning with frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which helps businesses understand and disclose their dependencies and impacts on nature. Another major theme was climate resilience, highlighting the importance of scenario planning, climate stress testing, and embedding climate-related data into both investment strategies and operational decisions. This approach enables businesses to anticipate and adapt to the physical and transitional risks posed by climate change.
The summit also promoted integrated thinking, encouraging finance teams within organisations to break down silos and collaborate across departments. This holistic approach ensures that sustainability is embedded into every aspect of business strategy, from governance and risk management to innovation and performance measurement. Finally, there was a strong call for education and capacity building. As sustainability reporting and decision-making become more complex and essential, there is a growing need to upskill finance professionals. The Summit underscored the importance of equipping current and future leaders with the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable transformation across industries. It was a powerful meeting of minds committed to reshaping the future of business through sustainability.
“We are now expanding our curriculum to include deeper engagement with climate risk accounting, ESG integration, and total societal impact—a concept that moves beyond shareholder value to encompass environmental and social outcomes.”
I thought it was important to attend the A4S Summit in London because it represents a global convergence of thought leadership at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and strategic transformation—all of which are core to Griffith University’s MBA mission. Griffith University’s MBA is internationally recognised for its commitment to responsible leadership and sustainable business practices.
By participating in the A4S Summit, I was able to:
Engage directly with global leaders shaping the future of sustainable finance and corporate accountability. For example, in attendance was Harmit Singh, CFO of Levi Strauss & Co., who explained that a key accelerator in achieving our goals is the growing recognition that sustainability and ESG practices are not just ethical imperatives—they’re also smart business. Around the world, consumers, employees, and stakeholders increasingly support purpose-driven companies that embed sustainability into their core growth strategies. At Levi Strauss & Co., sustainability is not an add-on—it’s deeply embedded in their identity and operations. It’s a fundamental driver of their long-term profitability and a source of competitive advantage.
Bring back cutting-edge insights on nature-related financial disclosures, climate resilience, and integrated thinking—topics that are increasingly vital in business education. This was evident during the ‘Finance for the Future Awards’, which were presented during the Summit and recognised excellence in communicating integrated thinking, climate action, nature and biodiversity, and education and capacity building through training and thought leadership.
Strengthen Griffith’s global partnerships and visibility in the sustainability space, reinforcing its position as a leader in values-driven education. During the Summit, we heard from panels of global finance leaders including: Jack Ehnes (Wilshire Indexes), Melanie Kreis (DHL Group), Martin Murray OBE (Swire Group), Denise Le Gal, Chair, Brightwell & JPM Chase UK Retirement Plan, Harmit Singh, CFO, Levi Strauss & Co, Nicholas Goodman, President and CFO, Brookfield Corporation, and Paul Druckman, Trustee, A4S. The speakers shared insights on the trends shaping sustainable finance in the US, Europe and Asia.
Lastly, by attending the Summit, I can ensure that the MBA curriculum at Griffith University remains future-focused, aligning with the latest international frameworks like the TNFD, and preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Lessons from the Summit
One of the most compelling sessions at the Summit was the discussion that centred on how organisations can navigate economic volatility and climate challenges while identifying new avenues for growth. The message was clear: sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern—it is central to strategic decision-making. This aligns perfectly with our philosophy at Griffith University. We’ve long believed sustainability should not be siloed into a single course or module. Instead, it must be woven into the very fabric of business education. At Griffith University, students don’t just study ‘accounting’—they study ‘Accounting for Accountability’. They don’t just learn ‘strategy’—they learn ‘Strategy for Purpose’.
The Summit also emphasised the importance of data transparency, stakeholder engagement, and long-term thinking. These themes will be further embedded into our MBA through new case studies, collaborative projects, and experiential learning opportunities that challenge students to think systemically and act ethically.
“Our MBA is deliberately different. It’s a holistic and values-driven degree that emphasises harmony between people, business, and the environment—encouraging students to lead with purpose and create positive impact across all dimensions of society.”
A Curriculum Grounded in Global Standards
The A4S Summit reinforced the urgency of aligning business education with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emerging climate disclosure standards. At Griffith University, we’ve already taken bold steps in this direction. Our MBA is structured around three core values: responsible leadership, sustainable business practices, and a global perspective. We are now expanding our curriculum to include deeper engagement with climate risk accounting, ESG integration, and total societal impact—a concept that moves beyond shareholder value to encompass environmental and social outcomes. As I often tell our students, we’ve moved from Total Shareholder Return to Corporate Social Responsibility and now to Total Societal Impact. This shift is not just theoretical; it’s practical, measurable, and transformative. Our students learn how to assess sustainability risks, design inclusive business models, and lead change across industries. And thanks to our partnerships with global institutions, they gain access to cutting-edge tools and insights that prepare them for the complexities of modern leadership.
Transforming the Learning Experience
The Summit reaffirmed a belief I’ve held for years: education is the most powerful lever for change. At Griffith University, we don’t just teach business—we teach business for good. Our MBA is deliberately different. It’s a holistic and values-driven degree that emphasises harmony between people, business, and the environment—encouraging students to lead with purpose and create positive impact across all dimensions of society. This philosophy guides our approach to teaching, assessment, and student engagement. We encourage students to define their ‘why’, start small, and continuously refine their impact. We also foster collaboration across institutions, industries, and borders, because solving global challenges requires collective action.
Following the Summit, I met with the directors of the MBA programmes at Imperial College Business School, London School of Economics, and London Business School, which was a rare and valuable opportunity to engage with leaders from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. These interactions provided several key benefits and learnings, such as global benchmarking and strategic alignment. Engaging with peers from top-tier UK business schools allowed me to benchmark Griffith University’s sustainability-focused curriculum against global best practices. It also helped identify shared challenges and opportunities in embedding ESG, climate risk, and nature-positive strategies into MBA programmes. UK schools are leaders in executive education and lifelong learning. Learning how they structure short courses, alumni engagement, and upskilling programmes can inform Griffith’s own offerings—especially in areas like climate literacy for business leaders and ESG reporting. Engaging with these institutions at a high level reinforces Griffith’s position as a global leader in sustainable business education. This signals that Griffith University is not only participating in global conversations but helping shape them.
The Post-MBA Journey: Leading with Impact
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing how our graduates apply their learning in the real world. Many go on to become sustainability managers, ethical entrepreneurs, and change agents in their organisations. They don’t just talk about impact—they live it.
The insights from the A4S Summit and my meetings with leaders from some of the world’s most renowned business schools will further empower our alumni to lead with confidence and clarity. They will be equipped to navigate regulatory shifts, respond to stakeholder demands, and drive innovation in sectors ranging from finance to healthcare to energy. Our MBA for Life programme ensures this journey doesn’t end at graduation. Through ongoing masterclasses, webinars, and alumni networks, we support our graduates in staying ahead of the curve and deepening their impact over time.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Responsibility
As Director of the Griffith MBA—ranked the world’s leading sustainable MBA five years in a row—I found the Summit and the meetings with senior academics from globally respected institutions both affirming and inspiring. It reinforced our mission and offered fresh perspectives that will directly influence how we evolve our curriculum, enhance our student experience, and prepare our graduates to lead with purpose. Ultimately, my presence at the Summit ensures that Griffith University MBA students benefit from real-time global insights, practical tools, and a network of changemakers, enhancing both their learning experience and ability to make a sustainable impact post-graduation.
As I reflect on the Summit, I’m reminded of the immense responsibility we carry as educators. We are shaping the leaders of tomorrow—leaders who must confront climate change, inequality, and systemic risk with courage and creativity. At Griffith University, we embrace this responsibility with humility and hope. We are committed to continuous improvement, guided by evidence, values, and a deep belief in the power of education. The A4S Summit was a milestone on this journey—a moment of connection, reflection, and renewal.
“You are not just earning a degree—you are joining a movement. A movement toward a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.”
A message to our current and future students: know that you are part of something bigger. You are not just earning a degree—you are joining a movement. A movement toward a more just, resilient, and sustainable world. And to our partners, alumni, and peers, let’s keep learning, collaborating, and leading together. Because the future of business is not just about profit—it’s about purpose.
Biography
MBA Director Naomi Birdthistle is Professor of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation at Griffith University.
