The Ashridge Sustainable Innovation Award in association with the European Academy of Business in Society and supported by HP and WWF

The Ashridge Sustainable Innovation Award that was launched today is something I really look forward to. It is another sign that leading companies and organizations shift towards an opportunity approach when it comes to climate change.

The jury is interesting as I think I’m the only one representing an organization that traditionally have focused on environmental issues, that is exactly what I believe is right. Ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow think about reduced CO2 emissions as a business opportunity is a must if we are serious about reducing CO2 emissions.

Let’s hope that there are MBA students that are willing to pick up the challenge and submit proposals that will change the future.

Later this fall I will visit a few MBA courses in EU, the Middle East and Africa. If all goes well I might put together a short paper based on that tour: “the state of the MBA world and innovative climate solutions”.

Below is the pressrelease:

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11 September 2008


Ashridge launches Sustainable Innovation Award

Ashridge Business School, in partnership with the European Academy of Business in Society (EABIS) and supported by HP and WWF, has launched the Ashridge Sustainable Innovation Award 2008/2009.

The award is designed to generate the best ideas from MBA and other post-graduate students on how organisations can create value from the shift to a low carbon economy.

The winning entrant will receive a cash prize of €7,000, a six month mentorship with HP and career advice from Spencer Stuart, the executive search firm. The second and third prizes are €5,000 and €3,000 respectively, also including career advice.

The award is open to full or part-time students studying on any MBA programme being taught in Europe, the Middle East or Africa (EMEA) during the 2008/2009 academic year. Additionally, the award is open to full or part-time MBA students at one of EABIS’ non-EMEA member schools and students on MBA or Masters level postgraduate programmes at HP linked universities.

“We are exited to bring our existing work with WWF on climate change to the academic world,” said Gabriele Zedlmayer, vice president Corporate Marketing and Global Citizenship, HP EMEA. “To transition to a climate-smart economy, a shift in management thinking and decision-making is required. By supporting this award, we want to help tomorrow’s talent become successful players in a changing economy.”

The award will be judged by a distinguished panel including:
- Sir Paul Judge, Benefactor of the Judge Institute, Cambridge University
- Eric Cornuel, Director General, EFMD
- Jeanette Purcell, Chief Executive, Association of MBAs
- Gabriele Zedlmayer, Vice President Corporate Marketing and Global Citizenship, HP EMEA
- Dennis Pamlin, Global Policy Advisor, WWF
- Kai Peters, CEO, Ashridge
- Della Bradshaw, Executive Education Editor, Financial Times
- Tom Dodd, CSR Policy Advisor, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission
- Anthony J Vardy, Senior Director, Spencer Stuart & Associates
- Rachel Jackson, Head of Social and Environmental Issues, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
- Viscount Etienne Davignon, Chair, European Academy of Business in Society and Vice-Chair, Suez-Tractebel

The closing date for entries is 2 March 2009. The award will be accompanied by presentations from WWF at select universities over the next few months. For further information, please visit: http://www.ashridge.org.uk/sustainableinnovation

Information on the award can also be found on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashridge-Sustainable-Innovation-Award/23715149027