Sustainability has become a crucial priority for businesses, driven by increasing consumer awareness. Many companies are adopting environmentally friendly practices, resulting in a growing demand for green jobs. A 2018 International Labour Organization (ILO) report suggests that implementing a sustainable economy policy could create 24 million new jobs worldwide by 2030.

In response to India’s growing emphasis on sustainability, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) like IIM Lucknow and IIM Mumbai offer MBA programmes in Sustainability Management. These programs equip future leaders with the necessary skills to advance sustainable development. This blog will explore these course offerings to help you choose a specialised programme in sustainability management.

What are the unique course offerings?

1) IIM Lucknow: Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management (PGPSM)

Research indicates that businesses’ futures depend on sustainability practices. Sustainability goes beyond environmental and social issues; it highlights the interconnection between enterprises and society. Ignoring this can lead to higher costs and reduced profits. The PGPSM programme equips future managers to tackle these challenges and create effective solutions.

Listed below are the highlights of the programme.

• Collaborative Industry Projects 

Students engage in a nine-month project with a company of their choice, providing practical experience and 1.5 credits.

• Case Study Methodologies 

The course emphasises active learning through discussions, presentations, and role-playing, creating an interactive classroom atmosphere.

• International Immersion Experience 

In the second year, students learn from global sustainability experts through sessions at institutions like Linnaeus University, Maastricht University, and Copenhagen Business School.

• Experiential Learning Beyond the Classroom  

The IIM Lucknow Noida campus offers industry interactions via the Leadership Talk Series and field trips, enhancing theoretical knowledge through insights from senior executives at major companies.

• Close-knit Community  

With a small batch size of around 35 students, the Noida campus fosters personalised learning and strong peer relationships.

• Diverse Profile Student Batches  

The PGPSM program welcomes individuals from various sectors. It requires at least two years of professional experience, which enriches the collaborative learning environment.

• Qualified and Experienced Faculty  

The faculty comprises distinguished faculty members with extensive backgrounds, ensuring high educational standards and motivation for student excellence.

• Focus on Sustainability and Innovation  

The program is designed to embed sustainable management principles, equipping students to develop innovative solutions and promote sustainable practices.

The PGPSM program offers a demanding curriculum integrating specialised sustainability courses from the first year with essential general management subjects. 

The subjects in the first-year sustainability-focused program include Managerial Economics, Communication for Sustainable Management, Environmental and Resource Economics, Principles of Sustainable Management, the Macroeconomic Environment, and Sustainability: Measurement, Certification, and Reporting, among others.

In the second year, students explore sustainability more deeply through compulsory courses and electives. A key element is a project that runs concurrently with coursework and lasts three terms (up to nine months). Students also receive a dedicated day each week to work on real-world projects in collaboration with industry partners. 

Regular faculty assessments ensure alignment with project goals, which cover areas such as renewable energy, smart cities, resource efficiency, and CSR. Organisations collaborating on the projects include Tata Sustainability Group, Soft Bank, NTPC, and the World Bank. 

Employers highly value this hands-on approach, which provides students with practical experience and a unique business perspective that extends beyond classroom learning. Additionally, the eight-week summer internship is often seen as too short for meaningful project work and candidate evaluation.

Academic Evaluation Grading

The academic performance evaluation system is designed to improve learning by assessing students’ abilities to apply knowledge in problem-solving and enhance organisational effectiveness. This ongoing evaluation includes assignments, quizzes, projects, seminar presentations, viva voce, mid-term assessments, and final exams. A ten-point grading scale is used, with the following letter grades:

The Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) are calculated as weighted averages of grades for each term and all terms, respectively. Academic requirements for program continuation, advancement to the Second Year, and diploma eligibility are outlined in the PGPSM Manual, which is given to students during registration at the start of the academic year.

2) IIM Mumbai: MBA (Sustainability Management)

According to NIRF, IIM Mumbai, previously known as NITIE Mumbai, is ranked 7th for its management programs.

The MBA program in Sustainability at IIM Mumbai focuses on Innovation in Sustainability, preparing students to drive change and lead sustainable innovations. Since its inception in 2001, it has attracted individuals dedicated to sustainability. The curriculum, developed with input from alumni and industry experts, combines managerial and technical perspectives, training students to integrate ESG principles and Safety into business value chains.

Highlights of the MBA in Sustainability Management will equip the students with the following skills.

• Integration for a Sustainable Future 

Integrate Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Business Strategy with Sustainability, Environmental Management, Safety Management, and Corporate Social Responsibility seamlessly within comprehensive ESG frameworks. 

• Empowering Informed Decision-Making 

Explore Environmental and Social Laws, Policies, and ESG Analytics. This will empower them to make informed decisions that align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, ensuring responsible corporate behaviour. 

• Sustainable Finance and Capital Allocation

 Explore greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and sustainable finance, discovering how to allocate capital to projects and initiatives that provide financial returns while fostering a greener and more equitable world. 

• Mastering the Circular Economy 

Embrace the Circular Economy, mastering the design of life cycle assessment-based closed-loop systems that minimise waste and optimise resource utilisation.

Program Structure

The program is designed with a structured approach, comprising several categories of courses that contribute to the required total credits mentioned below. 

First-year students must attend at least 10 industry and academic expert talks, enriching their broader learning experience.

The program includes several key subjects for students, such as Managerial Decisions in Data Science, Business Sustainability Development, Supply Chain Management, Strategic Management focusing on Sustainability, and ESG Standards and Frameworks.

Overall, the students need to accrue 120 credits throughout the program. The structured modules divide these requirements into core and elective courses, micro-credentials, and a summer project, all scheduled across various modules.

Recruitment Insights for MBA Graduates in Sustainable Management 

Students in the MBA program in Sustainable Management were in high demand for sustainability roles. Approximately 74% of the participants from IIM Lucknow’s PGP-SM program secured more than 30 offers for sustainability positions during the summer placements for the 9th batch of PGP-SM (2023-25).

• Recruiter Participation

22 companies engaged in recruitment, attracting a talent pool of 43 students.

• Diverse Opportunities in General Management:  

About 26% of the cohort was placed in various General Management roles, highlighting the program’s comprehensive strengths.

• Introduction of New Companies  

 This season saw the onboarding of 15 new organisations, expanding the range of job opportunities.

• Varied of Roles Offered  

Recruiters provided esteemed positions across multiple fields, including Corporate Sustainability, Public Policy, ESG Research, ESG Consulting, Project Management, and General Management.

Companies partnering with IIM Lucknow to recruit for the 2023-25 batch include Accenture, Cipla, CSTEP, the Environmental Resources Fund, Garuda, Indian Oil, Kirloskar Brothers, Mahindra, MAQ Software, W, STENUM Asia, Akhilata, Tata Motors, the Trident Group, UltraTech Cement, Vivriti, Welspun, Wipro, and Zomato.

The IIM Mumbai Class of 2024 comprises 446 students, including fresh graduates and experienced professionals from prestigious institutes such as IITs, NITs, and BITS.

This diverse cohort fosters a rich learning environment, contributing to the program’s success. During the placement season,

 180 companies from various sectors—BFSI, Consulting, FMCG, IT, Logistics, Manufacturing, Pharma, and Retail/E-commerce

 Some of the prominent names include Accenture, Bajaj, Baker Hughes, Deloitte, Diageo, Dr Reddy’s, EY, Genpact, Godrej, HSBC, HCL, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, L’Oréal, Microsoft, Nestle, P&G, PwC, Reliance, Tata, Wipro, and many more. This diverse list suggests that the recruitment drive targets various sectors and offers opportunities across different industries, highlighting the program’s broad industry appeal.

Demand for Sustainability Careers in a Changing World

The demand for sustainability careers is growing as the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss become increasingly apparent. Companies across all sectors prioritise environmental responsibility and adhere to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. This shift has increased investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy practices. As a result, there is a rising need for professionals who can implement sustainability initiatives and harness technological advancements in areas like carbon capture and renewable energy.

Organisations seek experts who effectively communicate their sustainability efforts through transparent and credible reporting, which requires a solid understanding of carbon accounting processes.

These trends present a positive outlook for students pursuing an MBA in sustainability management. They are entering a strong job market where they can significantly impact global green initiatives.