Dear GWSB Community,
For more than fifty years the United States has celebrated Earth Day in April - marking a time to recognize our part in ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. The establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act have all been established since Earth Day was founded.
Planning for a sustainable future isn’t limited to one day, nor is it limited to just government policies; through individual choices and actions large and small, we make a considerable difference.
Business practices, policies, commitments and innovations often lead the charge for change. In GWSB, we have long taught, researched, volunteered and launched new ventures that advance the future of sustainability.
I want to share with you a few highlights of how GW Business students, faculty, staff and alumni are creating a sustainable future:
- Strategic Planning: Environmental Sustainable Governance (ESG) is one of our school’s core values. Central to our purpose is making a positive impact on environmental, social and governance-related issues by incorporating them within our activities: teaching, research and practice.
- Faculty Expertise: This week the Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was released. The report delves into data tracking trends in harm and mitigation. Jorge Rivera, Professor of Strategic Management & Public Policy, provided his insight on the report, “There is a growing segment of green consumers – mostly in developed countries – willing to pay more for products and services that are less carbon intensive. These include buyers of electric/hybrid cars, heavy users of public transportation, buyers of green homes, those avoiding red meat diets, etc. A few companies such as Patagonia and Tesla are responding to these green consumer demands.”
- Sustainability in Scandinavia: Over spring break, graduate students traveled to The Copenhagen School of Business to study ESG, impact investing and regenerative sustainability to focus on net positive approaches to business. The class interacted with top faculty, research and industry leaders to explore the city/urban setting within an international context.
- Impact Investing: Graduate students learned about impact investing from eight investors who visited with students throughout the Business & Society course taught by John Forrer, Associate Research Professor of Strategic Management & Public Policy, during their spring break. At the conclusion of the class, students worked in teams analyzing and answering research questions posed by four impact investors: the Inter-American Development Bank, Quantified Ventures, Impact Bridges Group and DC Green Bank.
- Installing ESG: On April 22, we will celebrate the installation of Joel A. Gehman, Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy, as the Thaddeus A. Lindner and Sergius Gambal Professor of Business Ethics.
- GWSB Student and Alumni Innovation: People Powered Products joined George Talks Business following their excellent performance in the 2020 GW New Venture Competition, sharing how their focus on sustainability led them to develop doors that leverage human energy to power other products. Watch the interview to learn more about how their innovative design makes an impact on conserving energy.
- GW Commitment: Recently the university provided reusable water bottles to all students, staff and faculty empowering our commitment to eliminate single use plastics on campus. Throughout Duques and Funger Halls - and around campus - we have bottle refill stations. This is part of the university’s long-term commitment to sustainability.
- Planet Forward Summit: Join José Andrés, chef, international humanitarian and founder of World Central Kitchen and others in the Jack Morton Auditorium this Thursday, April 7 for the Planet Forward Summit. Register to participate in person or virtually.
- Volunteer Locally: The Anacostia River Festival Cleanup is this Saturday, April 9. Register to join this local initiative to clean an important historical waterway from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cleanup supplies will be provided.
I am looking forward to all that we do within the month of April and beyond to increase our impact on creating a sustainable future.
Stay safe and stay well,
Anuj Mehrotra, Ph.D.
Dean