Higher education in sustainability becoming more important

Sustainability is no longer just for the environment; it also contributes to a strong economy and society. Experts in an Environmental Leader article agree that future business leaders need real-world experience and higher education in sustainability practices and principles in order to stay competitive in the job market and to help their company stay at the top.

"Those who haven’t been trained (in sustainability) become overwhelmed by the demand to merge new and emerging needs and ideas with traditional systems and strategies," says Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow in the article. "Often they have trouble stating the sustainability business case to decision-makers. Sustainability leaders know how to take this new reality and use it to inform overall strategy, innovation, investment, engagement and, ultimately, company success."

Many colleges across the U.S. are recognizing the need for future sustainability leaders, including ASU. Its Executive Master's for Sustainability Leadership a program offered by the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives in conjunction with the School of Sustainability. The tools and theories taught in class are coupled with applied projects within the students' workplace, culminating in a final capstone project that features a real-world solution to a sustainability challenge.