On this Earth Day, the call for climate action is louder than ever — and increasingly difficult to ignore.
While businesses navigate growing political resistance, from anti-climate sentiment in parts of Europe to regulatory rollbacks under the Trump administration in the U.S., many business schools are standing firm in their commitment to sustainability. Their goal: to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to drive climate innovation through entrepreneurship.
Most business schools agree that sustainability is no passing trend. It represents a fundamental shift in how organizations must operate in a resource-constrained world. One way schools are supporting this shift is through student competitions, which give young professionals a platform to test — and launch — their ideas.
IMPERIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL’S CLIMATE INVESTMENT CHALLENGE
POLIMI’s Tommaso Agasisti: “Our mission is clear — we integrate sustainability into everything we do to ensure long-term impact”
Several of these contests have a proven track record. The MIT Climate & Energy Prize, for example, has helped student-led startups secure more than $1.7 billion in follow-on funding. At the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, the Environmental Innovation Challenge pairs industry mentors with student teams and offers significant prize money to help scale sustainability-focused ventures.
Another high-impact initiative is the Climate Investment Challenge, hosted by Imperial Business School. Now in its sixth year, CIC is designed to inspire financial innovation around climate change and serve as a launchpad for future climate finance leaders.
“Innovation in climate finance is essential if the world is to meet its net-zero targets,” says Mike Wilkins, director of Imperial’s Centre for Climate Finance & Investment. “This competition highlights the ingenuity of young entrepreneurs, providing much-needed hope.”
Despite shifting political landscapes, Wilkins says Imperial remains committed to sustainability. CIC stands out for its ability to connect student teams with funding and industry leaders, bridging climate finance and entrepreneurship in a direct, impactful way.
“Regardless of shifting global landscapes, climate change remains as pressing as ever,” Wilkins says. “Our interdisciplinary research — spanning climate science, engineering, and business — continues to expand, with the launch of the Convergence School of Sustainability and new MSc programs in Climate Change Management & Finance and Cleantech Innovation.”
This Earth Day, Wilkins encourages students to lean into action. “The world urgently needs graduates tackling climate challenges across business, technology, and policy,” he says. “Regardless of political shifts, new solutions and businesses will be vital — and this presents significant career opportunities.”
POLIMI’S INNOVA EUROPE CHALLENGE: SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH STARTUPS
At POLIMI Graduate School of Management in Milan, Italy, the INNOVA Europe competition — now in its third year — supports students tackling climate challenges through entrepreneurship. The program pairs students with mentors, investors, and incubator support to help transform bold ideas into viable, impact-driven ventures.
“Entrepreneurship is not just about profit — it’s about shaping a future where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand,” says Tommaso Agasisti, associate dean at POLIMI.
The school recently received the Sustainability Reporting Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainability across education, research, and institutional accountability. “Our mission is clear — we integrate sustainability into everything we do to ensure long-term impact,” Agasisti adds.
One notable success story from the competition is Dooda, a startup using mealworms to advance sustainable agriculture and reduce land and water usage. “Their approach is a perfect example of how innovative thinking can solve critical global challenges,” Agasisti says.
As Earth Day highlights the growing urgency of the climate crisis, Agasisti offers a reminder: “The next generation of leaders must be ready to embrace bold ideas and sustainable solutions. The choices we make today will define the future of our planet.”
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