Embracing Sustainability: A Journey of Discovery and Transformation

Participant of our Global Online MBA, Harish Parameswaran, explains why he is passionate about sustainability and how studying the Social and Environmental Specialism has been an eye-opening experience.

Sustainability seems to be everywhere these days, but I confess my knowledge was limited until recently. Having worked in corporate policies and enterprise project management, I had only a vague understanding of its true scope. This changed when both my hometown in Kerala, India and my work base in the Middle East faced the devastating effects of climate change: historic flooding in Kerala in 2018 and unprecedented heatwaves in the Middle East.

These events, along with the realisation that corporate sustainability is going to have a potent impact in all career streams, made me choose Sustainability as my Global Online MBA specialism, and it's been an eye-opening experience. I've not only unlearned misconceptions, but also recognised sustainability as a powerful tool for shaping organisational strategy. It's about much more than environmentalism—it's about creating a better world through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass social, economic, and environmental dimensions.

The programme equips you with comprehensive knowledge to guide an organisation's transition to sustainability, using the SDGs as a framework. We've learned about tools like the SASB Materiality Matrix, which helps companies assess their impact and prioritise actions.

One standout module was Managing Sustainable Energy Transitions. We used the En-roads simulator to model the effects of different energy decisions on our future, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in reaching the Paris Agreement goals. We also explored case studies on energy transition strategies, geopolitical issues, and the role of critical materials in renewable energy, plus we were inspired by Jason Ash from Rolls Royce Aviation, who shared their long-term energy transition programme.

For my dissertation, I'm delving into a question that's been on my mind: what's holding back the construction industry in the Middle East from reaching its full potential, especially with the current resurgence? Are there successful models of collaboration from other regions that can be adapted here to drive sustainable social outcomes? I hope my research will offer valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and civil society.

Overall, this specialism is empowering me to lead or manage an organization's sustainable transformation, while navigating the inherent complexities and challenges.