FT-ranked ESCP Business School’s London Campus has joined the Camden Climate Alliance and been placed on the Camden BeeLine map. This is part of the school’s effort to lower its emissions and support the London Borough of Camden in achieving its net zero goal by 2030.

As Camden-based business & public services account for approximately 66 per cent of carbon emissions in the borough, the Camden Climate Alliance introduced the Pledge to provide a framework to help businesses embed climate best practice and prioritise key areas where they can deliver significant impact to tackle climate crisis. As a member of the alliance, ESCP made commitments in five key areas:

Energy Efficiency and Renewables
Waste Prevention
Business Travel and Commuting
Staff Engagement
Encouraging Biodiversity.
“We are delighted that our London campus’ biodiversity efforts have been recognised by the Camden community,” adds Joe Miemczyk, Associate Dean for Sustainability Transition at ESCP. “We can do more and as we renovate our campuses across Europe, biodiversity standards will be prioritised to ensure that our schools are not only a place of learning but also have a positive impact on their local environments.”

In April 2023, ESCP was admitted to the Camden Beeline, a community project aiming to increase green space and biodiversity by creating a connected pollinator pathway of trees, plants and rewilded space.

The business school has made its its garden more wildlife-friendly by planting a selection of flowers and shrubs to extend the nectar season for pollinators . No weed killers were used on the plant beds. Snowdrops and Crocuses were planted under the front trees to increase late season nectar. In addition, thirty-two litre Hidcote Lavender shrubs were planted by the parking area. The pollen and nectar plants on site are: Holly (May-Jun), Cotoneaster (Jun), Forsythia (Mar-Apr), Lilac (Apr­Jun), Borage (Jun-Sept), Berberis (May- Jun), Fuschia (Jun-Aug), Helleborus (Dec- Apr), Pansies (Sep-May), Hydrangea (Aug- Oct).

ESCP also installed 6 bird boxes and 4 insect hotels placed in the front garden. They are made from wood and concrete to provide good insulation and protect from predators.

ESCP’s London Campus teams have been working hard to reduce environmental impact and increase engagement in social and community outreach. The focus is on achieving greener campuses in cooperation with its sister sites across Europe. As a higher education institution, ESCP invests in biodiversity, but focuses predominantly on teaching, research, processes and governance.

ESCP London Campus set up the Sustainability and Social Impact (ESG) Committee to oversee all projects related to climate change. It is supported by the London Green Office, which delivers initiatives on its behalf. The Green Office is a sustainability platform for the ESCP community to come together to implement joint initiatives, exchange ideas, and create sustainability and social-impact alliances. Its motto is ‘Empowering Students and Staff to be Responsible Change Makers.’

Find out more about ESCP’s responsible leadership: https://escp.eu/ethics-responsibility-sustainability.