The integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) topics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across academic programs.
The development of new specialized courses, such as the Executive Master in Sustainability Management.
A Sustainability Certification available to MBA students, with a current participation rate of 38%.
Impact monitoring through the SDG Monitor tool, ensuring that course content and teaching practices contribute to the SDGs.
Academic and corporate partnerships to develop case studies and innovative solutions for environmental and social challenges.
Sustainability Strategic Plan
Porto Business School defines sustainability as one of the core pillars of its institutional strategy, aligning its actions with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The School’s Sustainability Strategic Plan is built around key priority areas, that guide its approach to teaching, research, operations, and social impact.
Porto Business School’s Sustainability Strategic Plan, covering the period from 2023 to 2026, sets out concrete goals, performance indicators, and strategic initiatives to ensure an effective and measurable sustainable impact. It is built around five core pillars designed to integrate sustainability across all areas of the School.
I. Integrating Sustainability into the Academic Offering
Porto Business School promotes sustainability in education through:
II. Reducing Environmental Footprint and Sustainable Campus Management
Porto Business School is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations through:
- A 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2024 and an 85% reduction by 2030, in line with the Porto Climate Pact.
Achieving LEED GOLD certification, becoming the first Portuguese business school to earn this recognition.
Installing 300 solar panels, to improve energy efficiency.
Implementing waste management and recycling systems, including separation into six distinct categories.
Continuous monitoring of the School’s carbon footprint, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
III. Research and Innovation for Sustainability
Porto Business School promotes applied research in the field of sustainability, through:
Development of the Center for Sustainable Futures, a hub for sustainable innovation focused on agri-food, energy transition, biodiversity, urbanization, mobility, and green finance.
Partnerships with companies, governments, and NGOs to co-create solutions for environmental and social challenges.
Capacity-building projects for SMEs to adopt the SDGs, including the Sustainable Act, funded by Portugal 2020
Publication of impact reports and applied studies on corporate sustainability.
IV. Social Impact and Inclusion
Porto Business School reinforces its commitment to social impact through:
Scholarships for students in vulnerable situations, including refugees and women leaders.
Partnerships that advance diversity and inclusion, such as collaboration with APPDI – the Portuguese Association for Diversity and Inclusion.
PBS Board Fellows program, allowing MBA students to serve on the boards of NGOs.
Volunteer work and social initiatives that involve students and staff in community projects.
V. Transparency, Monitoring, and Sustainability Reporting
Porto Business School ensures rigorous tracking of its sustainability impact, through:
Publication of annual sustainability reports, including:
PRME Sharing Information on Progress (SIP)
BGA Accreditation Report
BSIS Progress Report.
External carbon footprint audits, ensuring independent verification of emissions.
Implementation of sustainability indicators, including metrics on emission reduction, resource consumption, and social impact.
Code of Ethics and Conduct, ensuring alignment with international best practices.
Sustainability Goals and Indicators
The Sustainability Strategic Plan sets out concrete goals, accompanied by performance indicators to ensure effective implementation.
Accreditations
With three major international accreditations—AMBA (Association of MBAs), AACSB, and EFMD—Porto Business School is among Europe’s leading business schools. In 2023, the School renewed its AMBA accreditation for an additional five years and obtained BGA (Business Graduates Association) accreditation, becoming the first Portuguese business school to achieve this recognition.
