Sustainability at the heart of ESCP’s mission as students begin their MIM journey

On 9 September 2025, first-year Master in Management (MIM) students at ESCP Business School London Campus participated in Climate Pitch.

Climate Pitch is an interactive workshop designed to raise awareness of climate change and inspire collective action.

The conference-style workshop was delivered by Sandra Sydow, President and Co-Founder of Planet on Stage, with support from Christina Bartholomew, Sustainability Lead at ESCP London Campus, and explored how students can respond to some of today’s most pressing environmental and societal challenges both individually and collectively.
 

ESCP is committed to inspiring future leaders and giving them the tools they need to become change agents within their communities and the institutions at which they study and work. The Climate Pitch drives a shared understanding of the impacts of global warming. Moving through their MIM degree, students will deepen their knowledge of the commercial risks and innovation opportunities presented by this crisis. It’s my job to support this important work and to drive student engagement around sustainable action.

Christina Bartholomew, Sustainability Lead at ESCP Business School LondonChristina Bartholomew
Sustainability Lead at ESCP Business School London

The MiIM students are at an important phase in their lives, where they must make significant choices about their future careers. Climate change remains ‘the elephant in the room’, yet it will be key for them to understand their professional paths. Together with Christina Bartholomew, we were keen to make this session not only a space to understand the situation in an accessible, fun, and interactive way, but above all to show the endless possibilities it offers when seen from the right perspective (we even used curiosity glasses!). In a context where young people have been nurtured with catastrophic information on this topic, it is time to change the narrative and help them see the positive outlooks, the progress made, and how desirable the future can be as we collectively become true leaders and change agents.

Sandra Sydow, President and Co-Founder of Planet on StageSandra Sydow
President and Co-Founder of Planet on Stage


Turning Awareness into Action

With climate change already disrupting lives worldwide, the session encouraged students to connect global issues with their personal choices. Drawing on recent events, from the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires to severe floods in Pakistan and South America, and extreme heat in India, students reflected on how small, everyday actions can make a difference.

Practical examples included using reusable cups, choosing mindful fashion and transport options, reducing meat consumption, and lowering energy use at home or in the workplace. More importantly, students explored how collective action and embedding sustainability into organisations can create large-scale change.


Starting from day one

With ESCP's strong focus on learning by doing and commitment to sustainability, it was important that students do the Climate Pitch training during induction, setting them on the right track for the two-year study ahead. The session also introduced students to ESCP London’s Green Office, which acts as the delivery arm of the School’s Social Impact and Sustainability (ESG) Committee. It empowers students and staff to launch sustainability projects and drive positive social impact across the Campus. ESCP’s Climate Pitch session was specifically tailored to MiM students, linking global environmental challenges to actionable steps in their studies, internships, and careers after graduation.


Student Engagement and Feedback

Approximately 170 students attended the session, with feedback showing strong positive engagement:

  • 89% expressed a desire to further deepen their knowledge of climate issues
  • Students described the session as “insightful”, “interesting”, “informative”, and “inspiring”.
  • Many pledged to take action, whether through more environmentally friendly choices, raising awareness among peers, or shifting their attitudes towards sustainability.


Driving Change Beyond the Classroom

ESCP London is committed not only to informing students but also to empowering them to act, reinforcing the principle that every choice matters in the fight against climate change. By better understanding their place in the world and the many opportunities these students have to shape a more desirable future. As extreme weather events and rising global temperatures continue to impact communities worldwide, this workshop serves as both a reminder and an inspiration that collective action is key to building a more sustainable future for all.
 

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