As one of Europe's leading business schools, we integrate responsibility and sustainability into all our activities. In our university’s Guiding Principles, we commit ourselves to contribute to solving the challenges of responsibility and sustainability in the economy and in society.
International guiding frameworks
In addition to our own guiding principles for responsibility and sustainability, HSG has signed on to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME) in 2010. Our first detailed progress report was published in 2012. Reports are published biannually and serve as HSG’s official Report on Responsibiliy and Sustainability.
In addition, the activities at the University are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In October 2019, the University of St.Gallen was the first Swiss University to sign the Global Climate Letter initiated by the UN SDG Accord. With this letter, the University commits itself to three goals:
1. Mobilizing more resources for action-oriented climate change research and skills creation;
2. Pledge to reach net-zero by 2030.
3. Increasing the delivery of environmental and sustainability education across curriculum, campus and community outreach programmes.
To achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2030, a Climate Solutions Taskforce was established that coordinates and manages measures at campus in four areas: Transport & Travel, Building & Infrastructure, IT & Services, Food.
Responsibility and sustainability in teaching
Through our education we aim to educate responsible leaders for serving our economy, environment and the society. At all levels of our study programmes we offer different possibilities to deal with subject such as such as gender and diversity management, energy systems, business ethics, social commitment and sustainable business practices. In the Executive School, HSG offers a wide range of courses and programmes addressing responsibility and sustainability challenges.
Responsibility and sustainability in research
Research is one of the core activities of the University of St. Gallen. Our staff conducts research and publishes academic articles that address diverse subject areas – responsibility and sustainability is among them. Various institutes and centers are active in research and teaching in the responsibility and sustainability field.
Students are committed to sustainability
A strong student engagement on responsibility and sustainability has always been a distinctive feature at HSG. With the student initiative oikos, HSG students have provided a forum for discussing sustainable development in economy and society since 1987. Responsibility and sustainability topics have attracted a lot of interest among students which reflects in the creation of new student organizations in this field.
The support platform ECOnnect strengthens the coordination and continuity of student associations. The platform aims at improving communication and coordination amongst the student associations as well as strengthening the development of personality and competencies with coaching services.
Campus sustainability
The value attached to sustainability is also recognizable on the HSG campus. From paper disposal to water management and the optimization of campus operations, the HSG administration continually improves the consumption of energy and water and reduces the CO2-emissions. To achieve the goal of CO2 neutrality by 2030, the Climate Solutions Taskforce coordinates and manages measures at our campus in four areas: Transport & Travel, Building & Infrastructure, IT & Services, Food.