In our education we are using teaching cases, assignments and videos to highlight the issues as well as the business challenges posed by the SDGs, and confront students with the complexities of working with the SDGs. Here we share these materials per SDG, showcasing material that is most directly relevant.
Keeping global temperature rises below 2°C during the 21st century is addressed by SDG 13 Climate Action. This was agreed by 195 countries in the first global accord for the environment, the Paris Agreement in 2015. Without it climate change caused by human activity could raise temperatures by a devastating 6°C by the end of the century.
“But deep de-carbonisation of our economies is yet to happen,” says RSM’s Associate Professor, Dr Steve Kennedy who researches the implications of the private sector in co-creating climate policies.
The World Economic Forum positions failure to mitigate climate change as the number 1 global risk to business.
Steve Kennedy - Associate Professor at the department of Business-Society Management at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.
Student Heidi Hou from Taiwan is studying for an MSc in Global Business and Sustainability. She presents the scientific evidence and consensus on the reality of climate change and its human causes, and explores how the uncertainty harms business.
There are business opportunities from bringing innovation to climate strategies. Dr Steve Kennedy is academic director of RSM’s MSc Global Business and Sustainability and Associate Professor in the department of Business-Society Management. He explains the possibilities.
Geanne van Arkel, Head of Sustainable Development at Interface, the world's largest manufacturer of carpet tiles, and a passionate intrapreneur explains how the company is reversing its carbon footprint and creating positive change and innovation.
Want to start applying your knowledge? Here are easy tips related to SDG 13:
- Naturally air dry your hair and clothes.
- Offset your remaining carbon emissions. You can calculate your carbon footprint and purchase climate credits. In this way, you help reduce global emissions faster!
- Speak up! Ask your local and national authorities to engage in initiatives that don’t harm people or the planet. You can also voice your support for the Paris Agreement and ask your country to ratify it or sign it if it hasn’t yet.
Want to do more? Here are the Good Life Goals.
RSM has developed a case series addressing the Sustainable development goals, which contains at least one case that specifically touches upon one of the 17 SDGs.
Cases with a primary focus on SDG 13:
- Interface: Creating a Climate Fit for Life through Carpet Tiles
You might also be interested in:
- Business and the Sustainable Development Goals – a framework for effective corporate involvement, a short book by Prof. Rob van Tulder.
- A three-day executive programme about Sustainable Finance at RSM.
- Visite the page of the ReTraCE Project.
- RSM’s MOOC – a free online open course – on Innovation Management and ENABLE Project.
- An article by Prof. Rob Zuidwijk and Associate Prof. Ioannis Fragkos on algorithms that suggest both cost-efficient and sustainable modes of transportation.
- A blog on why 'recycling' is not necessarily a circular economy by lecturer Diana den Held.
Explore all SDGs
SDG cases
The SDG teaching cases of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, explore the complexity of sustainable development.
Positive Change
Learn more about RSM's mission to be a force for positive change in the world
