In December 2024, Tsinghua University wrapped up its general elective course "Sustainability Leadership" at the School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM). The course, instructed by Tsinghua SEM Professor Li Jinliang, emphasized the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change, social responsibility, and corporate governance. ESG has emerged as a critical framework for evaluating corporate performance and a vital concept and skill set for future leaders.

The primary objective of the course is to cultivate students' philosophical perspectives and mindsets for sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. Students are encouraged to reflect on and discuss key questions, including how businesses can achieve sustainable development goals and integrate in circular economy through shifts in mindset and model transformations. The course aims to equip students with the leadership skills and innovative thinking necessary for sustainable development, while fostering a sense of responsibility toward global sustainability goals and China's sustainable development strategy.

The course instructor Li Jinliang gives a lecture to students.

The course featured a series of lectures and thematic discussions, covering cutting-edge topics in global sustainable development practices. It brought together executives from multinational enterprises and experts in sustainability, offering students the opportunity to engage with industry leaders. Students analyzed real-world case studies, exploring the feasibility and significance of sustainable development strategies. Drawing on the foundational principles and framework of sustainability, the course addressed key issues from environmental, economic, social, and business perspectives. Giving special attention to China's carbon neutrality policy, the course reflected the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable development challenges and emphasized the importance of systematic thinking.

Mind map of the theoretical framework for the "Sustainability Leadership" course

Notable guest speakers included industry leaders such as Xu Lin, head of Social and Community Impact at Nike Greater China, who offered an immersive case study on Nike's "Recycle a Shoe" project as a model of collaboration across businesses, partners, customers, and communities to promote sustainability. Xu highlighted the role of public welfare initiatives in advancing ESG principles and fostering market-wide sustainable development. Zeng Chuwei, head of LinkedIn China's Campus Recruitment Solutions, delivered a lecture on "Career Development for ESG Talent." He provided an in-depth analysis of the global demand for green skills and talent, offering practical advice on how individuals can differentiate in the green job market by telling personal green stories, highlighting green skills, and building strong personal brands.

Guest lecturers

The course culminated in final group presentations, where students showcased a range of creative and practical projects in areas such as green energy, the circular economy, and social enterprises. Among them, the "EcoMove Tsinghua" team addressed environmental awareness and behavior gaps among Tsinghua University students by designing a low-carbon digital platform aimed at reducing carbon emissions on campus, offering a replicable model for low-carbon transformation in universities across China. Another notable team was the "Goffee", who focused on the current state of sustainability in the fashion industry. The team proposed using coffee grounds to produce recycled fibers and products, aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency from multiple dimensions, while advocating for sustainable fashion practices.

Highlights from the final presentations

Li Jinliang reflected that through in-depth understanding of ESG principles and exploring sustainable development strategies, the course guided students in understanding the relationships between individual, societal, and corporate responsibilities, as well as how individuals can contribute to social progress in a globalized context. The course not only emphasized the importance of "helping others succeed while seeking our own success," but also fostered the development of a "well-rounded personality," which is a core goal of general education courses.

Zhang Bingqian, a student from the School of Environment, said that the course helped her and her team members bridge theory and practice in sustainability, inspiring feasible and innovative solutions to promote consumers' green lifestyle and address the challenge of the profitability of corporate sustainability projects. Dong Bingchen, a student from the Department of Industrial Engineering, emphasized how the course transcended disciplinary boundaries, showcased the application of sustainable development concepts in various fields, and equipped him with leadership skills to navigate in future interdisciplinary challenges. Chen Jiatao and He Yifang, students from Tsinghua's Academy of Arts & Design, added that the course reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable development and strengthened their commitment to sustainability as a guiding principle in their future careers, driving industries toward a greener and more responsible future.

Classroom Interaction

Source: Institute for Industrial Innovation and Finance, Tsinghua University

Editor: Ren Zhongxi