Publications
Publications
- 2025
- Global Focus: The EFMD Business Magazine
Educating Students and Professionals on the Business Implications of Climate Change
Abstract
As climate change poses unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the private sector must play a pivotal role in both adaptation and mitigation efforts. This article discusses the new Harvard Business School Online course, Business and Climate Change, designed to equip participants—whether fulltime students or professionals—with practical tools to understand how companies are addressing climate-related risks and opportunities. After introductory coverage of climate science and government policies, the course introduces a range of managers from companies around the world and across different sectors to explain how they are enacting practical solutions to improve their climate adaptation and decarbonise their products, operations, and supply chains. With engaging videos, short readings, and exercises, the course seeks to enable future leaders to integrate climate solutions into core business strategies, product and service design, operational decisions, and more. Given the increasing demand from Gen Z and Millennials—and MBA students—for meaningful, impactful careers, the course addresses an urgent need to align business education with the realities of a changing planet.
Keywords
Climate Impact; Online Courses; Online Education; Decarbonization; Mitigation Policies; Climate Risk; Climate Change; Risk Management; Science; Policy; Business Education; Adaptation
Citation
Toffel, Michael W. "Educating Students and Professionals on the Business Implications of Climate Change." Global Focus: The EFMD Business Magazine 192, no. 2 (2025): 29–32.