Navigating the Climate Crisis: The Business and Climate Change Course at Harvard Business School
Starting a new journey can be both exhilarating and intimidating, especially when that journey involves becoming an MBA student at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, Harvard Business School (HBS). The unfamiliar campus, diverse classmates, and innovative teaching methods can create a steep learning curve. However, this year, HBS introduced an early opportunity for incoming and returning students to engage with pressing global issues: the Business and Climate Change course, an online offering that aims to equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle climate change through a business lens.
A Course Designed for Impact
The Business and Climate Change course, created by Professors Mike Toffel and Forest Reinhardt, spans five weeks and is self-paced, allowing students to delve into the multifaceted aspects of climate change, including its science, economics, policy implications, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. With tuition fully subsidized by the Business and Environment Initiative (BEI), the course attracted 53 students, about two-thirds of whom were new Required Curriculum (RC) students.
In September, the BEI hosted a celebratory dinner to bring together the online cohort, where Dean Srikant Datar shared insights on the importance of integrating climate change into business education. This gathering provided a platform for students to reflect on their experiences and aspirations in the fight against climate change.
Student Perspectives: A Diverse Journey
Iksun Kwon: Expanding Horizons
Iksun Kwon, an MBA 2026 student from South Korea, transitioned from a tech manufacturing company to HBS with a desire to deepen her understanding of climate change. Having worked on strategic deals aimed at reducing carbon emissions, Kwon recognized the potential for her company to lead industry-wide changes.
“I thought we could really expand the impact if we could suggest these changes to our suppliers and customers,” Kwon explained. The HBS Online course served as an invaluable introduction to the subject matter and the unique HBS pedagogy, which emphasizes active participation and case discussions. “This was a really good starting point for me,” she noted, highlighting how the course expanded her perspective and prepared her for the classroom experience.
Vasu Purohit: A Commitment to Clean Energy
Vasu Purohit’s journey to HBS is rooted in his childhood experiences in India, where he witnessed the challenges of energy access firsthand. His background in petroleum engineering led him to work in the oil and gas sector, but he soon realized the urgent need for a pivot towards clean energy solutions.
“I realized that it’s not a uni-dimensional problem—energy access is one, but clean energy is something that we need to pivot to,” Purohit stated. Enrolling at HBS allowed him to broaden his operational strategy skills while gaining insights into finance and public policy. The Business and Climate Change course was a natural fit for his aspirations, providing him with a platform to engage with peers pursuing diverse paths in the clean energy sector.
Jack Senft: Greening Aviation
Jack Senft, an MBA 2026 student and former helicopter pilot in the US Army, experienced the harsh realities of climate change during his deployment in Iraq. Witnessing extreme weather events fueled his determination to effect change within the aviation industry.
Senft views the Business and Climate Change course as a vital foundation for his future endeavors. “I had the background from this course to say that it was more than just saving energy costs,” he explained, emphasizing the broader implications of sustainable practices. With aspirations to work in clean mobility solutions, Senft believes that the aviation sector is ripe for innovation and growth.
The Course’s Broader Impact
Professors Toffel and Reinhardt designed the Business and Climate Change course with a clear objective: to empower a diverse range of individuals—whether they are current managers, budding entrepreneurs, or career switchers—to understand the impact of climate change on businesses across various sectors. The course emphasizes how companies can adapt to the physical changes brought about by climate change while pursuing opportunities to decarbonize their operations.
Lynn Schenk, director of the BEI, highlighted the significance of the course in supporting MBA students’ understanding of climate change and its integration into case discussions. “We’re delighted that every first-year section includes students who took this course and who can help cascade their knowledge to their classmates,” she remarked.
A Growing Commitment to Climate Education
The Business and Climate Change course is part of a broader initiative at HBS to address climate change through education. The HBS Climate Rising podcast, student-run Climate Symposium, and other online courses focused on sustainable investing and business strategy reflect the school’s commitment to equipping future leaders with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of climate change.
As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable solutions, the Business and Climate Change course at HBS stands as a beacon of hope, fostering a new generation of leaders who are prepared to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time. With students like Kwon, Purohit, and Senft leading the charge, the future of business and climate action looks promising.