The Greenprint: Sustainability Spotlight at ESCP’s Madrid Campus

The Greenprint series reveals how sustainability takes shape differently across ESCP's campuses, spotlighting the contributors and efforts building toward a collective vision of responsible leadership and shared transformation.

As Green Office Coordinator at ESCP Madrid, Johanna Arias Merlano works alongside Professor Ramón Fisac to embed environmental consciousness into campus life. Her dual role—she also serves as Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator—gives her a unique lens to shape sustainability engagement throughout the student journey—from recruitment to enrolment.

Together, Johanna and the team collaborate with student associations, staff, and faculty to champion initiatives that not only protect the environment but also reflect the values and identity of the ESCP Madrid community.

Johanna C. Arias Merlano Sustainability Lead, ESCP Madrid Campus — **Johanna C. Arias Merlano**
Green Office Coordinator at ESCP Madrid Campus

Sustainability team at the ESCP Madrid Campus

Johanna Carolina Arias
Management

Ramon Fisac
Faculty

Roxana Olaru
Management

Valentin Held
Prof. of Sustainability

The local lens

The Madrid Campus’s approach to sustainability is deeply shaped by its natural surroundings and outdoor culture. Located near the mountains and surrounded by countless parks, the campus fosters a tangible connection to nature, one that informs its environmental philosophy.

“Our sustainability identity is rooted in awareness, engagement, and connection. We believe a truly sustainable campus empowers students to understand the natural systems that sustain us and to take active roles in protecting them,” shares Johanna.

This nature-driven ethos comes to life in unique ways, from hands-on workshops to mindful mobility challenges, all designed to strengthen awareness and engagement.

“For us, sustainability goes beyond reducing waste or saving energy — it’s about cultivating a mindset that values environmental responsibility, community well-being, and long-term positive impact,” adds Johanna. “We aim to create a campus culture that lives sustainability every day, not only in theory but through shared experiences and daily actions.”

Initiative Spotlight: The Green Mobility Challenge

The Madrid Campus’s flagship initiative began when two Master in Management students cycled from Paris to Madrid as part of their multicampus journey. Their story inspired the launch of the Green Mobility Challenge, a competition awarding €1,500 to the most impactful sustainable travel proposal.

“The goal is to demonstrate—through real examples—that sustainable travel is not only possible but also rewarding, offering unique opportunities to connect with both people and nature,” shares Johanna.

Green mobility competition winning group

This initiative has motivated the ESCP community to adopt more sustainable travel habits. And a growing number of student trips are organised around low-impact transport options. The cultural shift toward sustainability continues to expand across the community.

Sustainability Heroes

Roxana Olaru is recognised for her pioneering contribution to early sustainability initiatives on campus. Her leadership helped launch projects such as Plant a Tree and the introduction of reusable ESCP bottles, with proceeds donated to NGOs supporting environmental causes.

Professor Lola Herrero has also had a lasting impact through her teaching and research, helping to embed sustainability thinking across the community. Her work within the RIU Hotels and Resorts Professorship in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, established in 2022, has been particularly influential. The successful implementation of the 2024 action plan led to the standardisation of the RIU Method—a structured framework aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and designed to integrate sustainability into corporate practice.

Engaging with the ESCP community

The Green Office leads initiatives that bring sustainability closer to nature — encouraging students to experience, reflect, and act through hands-on activities that highlight the environment around us. They are shaping a campus where sustainability is lived, felt, and shared. Initiatives carried out so far include:

El Camino del Anillo (The Path of the Ring): Inspired by Tolkien’s books, this two-day walk in the Sierra de Madrid helps participants reconnect with nature and develop a sustainability mindset.
Permanagement Workshop: A spiral garden of aromatic plants designed by Option E students, linking ecology with entrepreneurship and teamwork.
Blossom Wellness Garden: This initiative promotes biodiversity among staff through a pollinator-friendly garden featuring aromatic plants.
Sustainable/Green Mobility Challenge: A recurring competition encouraging students to design low-impact travel plans that promote awareness and action.

These initiatives foster environmental awareness, personal development, and a deeper connection to European values. Faculty and staff have also participated in workshops such as Climate Fresk and 2 Tonnes, as well as in hands-on initiatives like the vegetable garden and the Blossom Wellness Garden. These activities foster environmental awareness, teamwork, and connection with nature.

Student sustainability associations like GEA are also highly active — collecting feedback, organising awareness campaigns, and leading creative initiatives like the Trash Talks, which teach students how to recycle properly on campus.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, ESCP in Madrid is excited to introduce a new flagship experience: El Camino de Santiago. This cross-campus initiative aims to foster environmental awareness, personal development, and a deeper connection to European values.

The idea was proposed by Professor Javier Aguado, a regular pilgrim of El Camino, who has witnessed firsthand its transformative impact on students. This initiative will offer participants a unique opportunity to reflect, grow, and engage with peers in a meaningful and sustainable way.

More than a physical challenge, this iconic journey will be a powerful educational and community-building experience. ESCP students will walk Sarria together, connecting with nature, reflecting on sustainability, and sharing intercultural perspectives.

We are now designing a pilot project, led by students at the ESCP Madrid campus, to develop a comprehensive coordination plan and bring this initiative to life.

Foster a sustainable mindset rooted in simplicity, awareness, and respect for natural and cultural heritage
Encourage active student leadership in organizing meaningful, value-driven experiences
Promote European identity by connecting students across campuses in a shared journey reflecting cooperation, diversity, and solidarity

El Camino de Santiago will become not only a symbol of sustainability and unity, but also a defining element of our annual programming—reinforcing ESCP’s identity as a European business school committed to impact and values.