IE University accelerates waste reduction in 2024 as part of its '10 Year Challenge' to protect the planet

IE University will implement a series of actions throughout 2024 to reduce waste generation on its campuses as part of its '10 Year Challenge', a strategic project led by IE University's Sustainability Office. The '10 Year Challenge' sets annual objectives aimed at safeguarding the planet between 2020 and 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

To achieve this waste reduction, IE University will carry out projects to raise awareness within the community, as well as analyzing and redesigning processes on campus. IE University's sustainability strategy will be applied to all of its activities as part of its commitment to protect the planet, raise awareness, and contribute to creating a more equitable society and ensure a better future.

"Sustainability is at the heart of corporate business management."
Isabela del Alcázar, Global Head of Sustainability at IE University

Launching this latest stage of the '10 Year Challenge'  initiative, Isabela del Alcázar, Global Head of Sustainability at IE University, commented: "At IE University, we are committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Within the framework of our '10 Year Challenge', between 2020 to 2030 we will focus on annual challenges that drive sustainability. This year, as part of our educational commitment, we have opened our new Master in Sustainability and Business Transformation.  Also, we are proud of how our faculty dedicates more than 15,000 hours each year to training undergraduate and graduate students in sustainability. Our goal is to integrate sustainability in a cross-cutting manner in all areas of our institution."

IE University, recognized as one of the first 'carbon neutral' universities in Europe, reduced its carbon footprint by 33% in the period 2022-2023, compared to the previous year*. In addition, it offset carbon emissions from 2021-2022 with absorption projects in Oia (Pontevedra, Spain) and with 1,365 certified credits in the Amazon biome in Brazil. IE University also reduced water consumption by 50%, increased renewable energy by 50%, and reduced paper consumption by 92% compared to 2019-2020 data.

As part of its academic commitment, IE University dedicated more than 15,800 hours of training to sustainability-related content, which accounted for 9% of the total number of sessions taught, 38% more than in 2019-2020. As a reflection of this academic commitment, the Financial Times recognized IE University as the best institution in the world for ESG and Net Zero content training in its MBA 2023 Ranking. In terms of social legacy, pro-bono hours dedicated by students, faculty and staff to social impact projects increased by 25% in 2022-2023 compared to the previous year.

FT Responsible Business Education Awards 2024 

This week, IE University received one of the FT’s Responsible Business Education Awards 2024 in recognition of its innovative educational commitment and its focus on sustainability. The Financial Times highlighted IE University’s immersive simulation "Eye in the Storm: your role in climate change action", a project developed by Isabela del Alcázar, Global Head of Sustainability at IE University; and Gonzalo Delacámara, Director of the IE Center for Water & Climate Adaptation, in collaboration with IE University's Digital Learning team.

IE University students participate in sustainability initiatives such as the Social Impact Lab that supports social enterprises in South Africa and Spain with consulting projects, or Financieros sin Fronteras (FsF), an NGO that promotes financial inclusion in Africa. In addition, IE Net Impact Club aims to raise awareness, inspire, and train the IE community to promote socially responsible business management.

IE University works with Spain’s National Organization of the Blind (ONCE) Social Group to provide training for people with disabilities, encouraging their incorporation into the business world, strengthening their entrepreneurial and innovative profile, facilitating accessibility on campus and developing socially responsible hiring policies. 

The IE Alumni Sustainability Club promotes awareness of the UN’s SDGs. IE University's Social Responsibility Forum brings together senior executives once a year to analyze the challenges of CSR. And among other events, each fall the institution celebrates IE Sustainability Week, when protection of the planet, social volunteering and the promotion of the circular economy projects take center stage on campus. 

*Data audited by EINF, pending certification.