About Us
The Business of Sustainability Initiative focuses on the business approach to sustainability that creates long-term value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental, and social developments. We focus on student learning, thought leadership, and convening and outreach.
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business is a natural fit. Among our faculty and programs — and collaborations across Georgetown’s renowned schools, we offer the right intersection of business, policy, and society to address these issues. Our global reach and D.C. location allow us to hone deep skills and natural affinity to tackle the business case for sustainability.
Student Learning
M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management
In August 2022, Georgetown University will enroll its first class of M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management students. A collaboration among the Georgetown Earth Commons Institute, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the McDonough School of Business, the STEM-designated program leverages the university’s expertise in both environmental science and business. Over 11 months, a mix of courses and experiential activities prepare students to become leaders with the knowledge, skills, and determination to advance sustainable business and environmental practices.
Undergraduate Sustainable Business Fellow
Georgetown undergraduate students have a unique opportunity to join the Sustainable Business Fellows program. The purpose of the program is to equip students with knowledge and practical experience to lead and manage successful businesses with a deep understanding of the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century.
MBA Certificate in Sustainable Business
Georgetown McDonough MBA students have a unique opportunity to earn a Certificate in Sustainable Business. The undergraduate students have an opportunity to participate in the Sustainable Business Fellows program. The purpose of these offerings is to equip students with knowledge and practical experience to lead and manage successful businesses with a deep understanding of the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Thought Leadership
Several of our faculty are focused on conducting research to inform practice regarding challenges and issues in the context of sustainable business.
Convening and Outreach
We host multi-industry events along with corporations, policymakers, and NGOs to discuss common themes around business and sustainability.
Also, the initiative identifies alumni working in this space to build a community and connect students with professionals focused on the business of sustainability.
There are several areas related to sustainability where businesses can play an important role. This is why the Business of Sustainability initiative brings together different areas of Georgetown McDonough — marketing, finance, real estate, entrepreneurship, and more — to tackle these critical issues.
Summer Internship Spotlight: Michelle Kolacz (ESM’25), Center for Green Market Activation
This summer, Michelle Kolacz (ESM’25) explored market-driven solutions for decarbonization with the Center for Green Market Activation, a globally focused nonprofit dedicated to catalyzing the adopt…
August 14th, 2025
Vishal Agrawal, Georgetown University – Designing Better Clothing Take-Back Programs
A lot of our clothes we buy end up in landfills. Vishal Agrawal, Professor and Henry J. Blommer Family Endowed Chair in sustainable business, looks to reduce this.…
August 12th, 2025
Could Tariffs Actually Accelerate the Move to a Circular Economy?
Vishal Agrawal, business of sustainability initiative academic director at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, said there are several key issues when considering the move towards a…
July 31st, 2025
Climate Change is Now Impacting Education in the MENA Region. So What Can We Do?
For the education sector, according to Vishal Agrawal, Professor of Operations Management at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, climate risks could be quite a serious problem. “…
June 30th, 2025