HEC Paris Sustainability & Organizations Institute (S&O)

🏃♂️ Reducing Inequalities Through Consumer Information 🎯 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? Research shows that 80% of consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom are willing to pay more for products made involving less extreme inequality. 🌟 This innovative approach could revolutionize the fight against inequalities by empowering consumers to make informed choices—not just as passive observers of inequality but as active agents of change. This research, undertaken by Brian Hill, Research Director at CNRS, Professor at HEC Paris, and Academic Director of the Inclusive Economy Center at the S&O Institute, provides the blueprint for an effective information policy, that goes beyond ethical labels. It sets out a way to expose the most inequitable practices while encouraging companies to take responsibility and promising stronger public support than traditional redistribution policies. Read more on The Conversation France https://lnkd.in/enjTc_Cu 💨 It’s time to rethink the role of consumers in building a fairer economy! cc Marieke Huysentruyt, Bénédicte Faivre-Tavignot, Elisabeth de Réals, Action Tank, Jacques Berger #HECParis #SocialInequality #socialimpact #consumerbehavior #ConsumerResponsability

🌍 Innovation for Sustainability: Highlights from the Eco-Innovation Society Workshop🌱 The S&O Climate & Earth Center at HEC Paris had the pleasure of hosting the Second Bi-Annual Workshop of the Society for Eco-Innovation Studies on November 28–29, 2024. This hybrid event brought together 70 registrants and 35 in-person attendees, uniting scholars and practitioners across the globe to discuss groundbreaking research and actionable insights for eco-innovation. Focused on the theme “Eco-innovation for decarbonization and circularity: aligning business and policy with planetary boundaries”, the workshop highlighted cutting-edge research in the following sessions: 🌐 Emerging themes in eco-innovation research. 🏭 Eco-innovation diffusion and decarbonization. 🔄 Eco-innovation and circularity. 🏹 Eco-innovation strategy, capabilities and knowledge. We were honored to welcome our keynote speakers: 🔹 Alexandros Charalambides: Creating Eco-innovation Ecosystems in Small Island States: the Case of Cleantech Innovation in Cyprus 🔹 Imke De Kock (PhD, Pr.Eng.): From Crisis to Action: What Finally Sparked Change in South Africa to support sustainability transitions ✨ We also had the pleasure of hearing from Maria Hughes from UNEP Textile Initiative, who shared key insights from Lessons Learnt from the UN Environment Project of Eco-innovation in the Textiles Sector and Evgeni I. Evgeniev, PhD from the @European Commission presented recent R&I policy developments in support to decarbonization and circularity. Special thanks to the organizers, Fernando J. Diaz Lopez, Ph.D. & Marie-Pierre Lethiec - Seyfried from the HEC Climate & Earth Center, and the invaluable support of Massimiliano Mazzanti from University of Ferrara (SEEDS Inter-University Research Centre), The Ecosister Project, The University of Alcalá (InnoGreen) & Deusto Business School. This workshop reflects the dynamism and strength of the Society for Eco-Innovation Studies, which continues to build bridges between disciplines, industries, and geographies to tackle global sustainability challenges. With shared passion and expertise, this community is driving the transition toward decarbonization and circularity through impactful research and actionable ideas. Thank you to all the speakers Dr. Finn Ole Semrau Francesco Lelli, Alison Hsu, Pablo del rio, Nicolò Barbieri, Yanik Nimtz Jens Horback Yeong Jae Kim, I. Kim Wang Naila Azhar Ginevra Coletti Asia Guerreschi Valery Chistov Pelin Demirel ANANDA KARTHIKEYAN BOUTAYNA EL OUARDI, Daniel Villavicencio and participants—those who joined us in person and virtually—for making this event a success. Let’s keep the momentum going as we work together to align business models and policy with planetary boundaries! 🌿 With Andrea Masini Daniel Halbheer Marieke Huysentruyt, Daniel Brown #EcoInnovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #NetZero #HECParis #SustainableBusiness #ResearchInnovation

🌟 LE Livre de stratégie le plus vendu en France! Référence incontournable depuis 35 ans pour comprendre et mettre en œuvre les stratégies d’entreprise. Toutes nos féliciations aux auteurs! Joao Albino-Pimentel, Rodolphe Durand, Pierre Dussauge and Laurence Lehmann-Ortega 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9zFmcd8

🌍 [NEW HEC PODCAST] Bold Thinkers: Discover the Voices Creating New Narratives and Shaping the Future of Megacities 🌟 The world’s fastest-growing megacities are where critical sustainability challenges are most urgent. But they are also hubs of untapped potential, innovation, and resilience. That’s why we are thrilled to announce the launch of 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, a podcast series amplifying the voices of changemakers and trailblazers shaping the future of these dynamic cities. Supported by the HEC Paris S&O Impact Company Lab and Schneider Electric, Bold Thinkers is not just another conversation on sustainability—it’s a call to action. By bringing fresh voices to the forefront of global discussions, the podcast inspires leaders worldwide to rethink what’s possible. 🎙️ Episode 1: Kinshasa - The Rising Pulse of Africa’s Future In the first episode, we journey to Kinshasa, the bustling capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With its population set to exceed 58 million by 2075, Kinshasa is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world. Often viewed through the lens of challenges, this episode reframes the narrative to uncover the city’s immense potential. From renewable energy innovation to the power of leadership, women’s entrepreneurship, and cultural resilience, listeners will gain fresh insights into how Kinshasa’s trailblazers are imagining a sustainable future. 🔗 What to expect from Bold Thinkers: ✅ Fresh perspectives on global sustainability challenges. ✅ Actionable insights for leaders and decision-makers. ✅ Inspiring stories of resilience and innovation from megacities around the world. 🚀 Subscribe now and join us in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable future! 🎧 Listen and Subscribe here with #spotify #deezer #applepodcast : https://lnkd.in/eTfr4AZP 🙌 Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Fatou Ndiaye for brilliantly hosting the podcast and to our inspiring guests Romaric Ngambo, Mrs Patricia Nzolantima, and Héritier Mesa for launching this series with Kinshasa. This initiative was made possible through the leadership of Marieke Huysentruyt and Maureen S., following their learning expedition in Kinshasa in April 2024. We are deeply grateful to the **local actors—public and private, NGOs, and corporate partners—**for their invaluable contributions. A heartfelt thank you to Gilles Vermot Desroches, Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Dominique LAURENT, Thomas Bonicel, Frédéric Pinglot, Yannick Mvakang from Schneider Electric and the broader team for their support and leadership in bringing this vision to life. 🌉 Let’s build bridges, listen deeply, and act boldly. Together, we can unlock the potential of megacities for a just transition for all. #BoldThinkersPodcast #HECImpactCompanyLab #Megacities #Sustainability #Leadership

🌱 What is the most effective and “politically acceptable” policy to reduce the carbon footprint of consumption? This was the question explored by Professor Stefano Lovo at the S&O Institute lunch seminar this Tuesday on the HEC Paris campus. Stefano presented his research findings on evaluating the effectiveness of various policies aimed at encouraging sustainable consumption, particularly in food choices. 📊The field experiment, conducted at the HEC canteen over several weeks between 2021 and 2023, tested the following actions: ✔️ Displaying carbon footprints for each dish on the counters. ✔️Price adjustments, increasing the cost of high-carbon dishes and lowering it for low-carbon ones. ✔️Banning red meat from menus every Thursday. 💡Key findings : 🔸Informational nudges: Simply displaying carbon footprints had no significant effect on meal choices. 🔸 Price incentives: Adjusting prices based on carbon intensity reduced emissions by over 20%, with diners opting for cheaper, low-carbon meals. 🔸Choice restrictions: Banning red meat cut CO2 by 64%, but attendance dropped by 15% on Thursdays. Conclusion: Price-based policies are the most effective, achieving significant emissions reductions while maintaining consumer choice. 🎉Breaking news: Thanks to the positive reception of this experiment, the HEC canteen will adopt a price-based approach long-term, starting January 2025! 🎉 In the second part of the seminar, Garrette Clark, Programme Officer for Sustainable Lifestyles at the United Nations, shared insights on the global challenges of sustainable consumption. Key takeaways from Garrette’s presentation: 🔸The top 1% serve as aspirational figures, heavily influencing broader consumption habits - often in unsustainable ways. 🔸A disconnect exists between marketed ideals (e.g., luxury cars symbolizing freedom) and real-life experiences (e.g., traffic jams), presenting opportunities to redefine consumption norms. 🔸The critical role of marketing in shaping sustainable choices often fails to align consumer behavior with environmental goals. 🔸 Entrepreneurs and policymakers must recognize that consumer decisions are not solely driven by sustainability goals. Instead, they are shaped by: o  Basic Needs o  Community Values, influenced by social norms and expectations. o  Cultural Contexts, where perceptions of what is "normal" or desirable vary, influencing consumption habits. 🌟 Final thoughts: To create meaningful change, we need practical, inclusive solutions that empower consumers and entrepreneurs to rethink consumption patterns and innovate toward sustainability! 🙏 A heartfelt thank you to our amazing guest speakers and participants for the lively debates! 💬 with Anna Abraham, Marieke Huysentruyt, Iiris Sacchet, Rodolphe Durand, Leandro Nardi, Brian Hill, Bertrand Quélin, Finia Kuhlmann, Lisa Baudot, Daniel Martinez, Teodor Duevski , Andrew Montandon, Can He #CarbonFootPrint #CarbonPricing, #FieldExperiment #BehavioralEconomics

🌟 On your marks.... CALL FOR PRESENTERS: 10th Edition of the S&O Research Day!   The S&O Institute is thrilled to announce the 10th S&O Research Day, taking place on May 15th & 16th, 2025, at HEC Paris Campus, chaired by Georg Wernicke and co-organized with Iiris Sacchet.   This event, first launched in 2015, fosters interdisciplinary research around key topics of the S&O Institute: Climate, Inclusive Economy, and Purpose. It’s an exceptional opportunity to share ideas, gain feedback, and connect with the vibrant research community at HEC Paris and beyond!   📢 We are looking for presenters! Do you have a work-in-progress related to sustainability, organizations, or one of our key themes? Here's your chance to share it! Whether your research is in its early stages or close to completion, we invite you to contribute: 👉 Later-stage projects: 10-minute presentation followed by a discussant's feedback. 👉 Early-stage projects: 8-minute presentation with immediate audience input and discussion. This format is designed to spark conversations, test ideas, and receive constructive feedback in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere.   👩🏫 For the 10th Edition, we are thrilled to welcome our keynote speakers: - Giada Di Stefano: Associate Professor of Management at Università Bocconi & co-founder of S&O Research Days. - Jonathan Bundy: Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University.   💡 Event Highlights: - Afternoon of presentations on May 15th, followed by a social dinner. - Morning of presentations on May 16th, ending with a community-wide social lunch.   🎯 Join us to: - Test your research ideas. - Gain valuable feedback from peers and keynote speakers. - Build connections with an interdisciplinary and collaborative research community.   📩 How to Apply: 👉 Email Georg Wernicke by March 1st, 2025. Read more: https://lnkd.in/exUivMft   Let’s celebrate this milestone 10th edition by bringing together ideas that drive change and innovation!   🔗 Tag your colleagues and share the call for presenters!   We look forward to seeing many of you there! ✨ with Rodolphe Durand, Marieke Huysentruyt, Daniel Halbheer, Brian Hill #Research #Sustainability #HECresearchDays #HECParis #Collaboration

🌍 Transition Sociétale : Quand les Régulations Réinventent le Modèle d'Affaires Hier soir, au cœur de Paris, dans le cadre unique du Le Philanthro-Lab-Lab, nous avons eu l'honneur de lancer une nouvelle édition de l’Observatoire des transitions sociétales. Cet événement, né de la collaboration entre HEC Paris et De Gaulle Fleurance, met en lumière un sujet crucial : la durabilité et les nouveaux modèles d’affaires à l’ère des régulations ambitieuses. 🔎 Pourquoi cet observatoire ? 2024 s’annonce comme une année pivot pour les entreprises face aux enjeux environnementaux et sociaux, désormais encadrés par des régulations majeures telles que : 🔸 La directive CSRD, qui impose à 50 000 entreprises de publier des rapports de durabilité standardisés. 🔸 La directive CS3D, instaurant un devoir de vigilance européen, avec des sanctions pouvant atteindre 5 % du chiffre d'affaires mondial. 🔸 Le règlement européen contre le travail forcé, soulignant les droits humains comme pilier de la durabilité. Le Journal Le Point titrait hier dans un article « CSRD ou la directive européenne qui rend fou ». Considérée comme un vrai casse-tête, ces réglementations ne sont pourtant pas de simples contraintes. Elles portent en elles le potentiel d’un changement systémique indispensable, en favorisant : ◼️ Une transparence accrue et une gestion des risques ESG. ◼️ Une meilleure prise en compte des limites planétaires et de la dignité humaine ◼️ La transformation des entreprises encore peu impliquées dans les enjeux environnementaux et sociaux. 🟩 CONSULTEZ LE RAPPORT ET SES CHIFFRES CLES: file:///C:/Users/thoury/Downloads/OBSERVATOIRE_couverture%202.pdf 🌟 Nous croyons que cette transition nécessite un effort collectif. Managers, dirigeants, clients, étudiants et société civile : chacun a un rôle à jouer pour transformer ces cadres réglementaires en outils de création de valeur durable. 🙏 Un immense merci à Louis de Gaulle et Bénédicte Faivre-Tavignot pour leur leadership! A tous les contributeurs de ce rapport: Pierrick Le Goff, Muriel Guillin-Modaine, Bruno Deffains, Alexandra Nowak, Thibaut Brenot. Merci à Marieke Huysentruyt, Charles Autheman et Arnaud VAN WAEYENBERGE pour leur participation et éclairage. Votre engagement à tous est précieux! avec également: Constance Baudry, Sarah Maouchi, Cécile de Lisle (Lavrard-Meyer), Laurianne Thoury #Durabilité #TransitionSociétale #RSE #HECParis #DeGaulleFleurance #CSRD #CS3D #DevoirdeVigilance #ImpactPositif

🔴 C'est ce soir 18h30, au Le Philanthro-Lab! A ne pas manquer! Venez nous retrouver pour en savoir plus sur le renforcement du devoir de vigilance en France et en Europe, le nouveau reporting ESG avec la directive CSRD, l'impact de ces nouvelles réglementations sur les inégalités et les droits humains dans le monde… 👉 Il reste encore des places! https://lnkd.in/emwugJxr avec Charles Autheman, Marieke Huysentruyt, Bénédicte Faivre-Tavignot and Arnaud VAN WAEYENBERGE

🌍 Pushing Boundaries in Business Sustainability: Highlights from the 2024 Climate and Earth MBA Case Competition at HEC Paris! 🌱 Last Friday, on November 8, HEC Paris hosted the Climate and Earth MBA Case Competition finale – an event dedicated to sustainability, organized by our talented MBA students from the HEC MBA Council and MBA Sustainability Club, and supported by the S&O Climate & Earth Center, CMA CGM, and Accenture. 🔹 A Gathering of Brilliant Minds: This year, we welcomed 25 finalists from top business schools, including HEC Paris MBA, INSEAD, emlyon business school, Esade, and ESSEC Business School. These students were part of the six finalist teams from the 55 teams that submitted full cases in round 1 and 85 initial registrations (with over 430 applicants). The competition brought together the HEC faculty, and partners CMA CGM (Frédéric Obala via videoconference) and Accenture. 🌐 Challenging the Status Quo: The competition centered on a real-world scenario where teams were tasked to help a multinational corporation, align infrastructure strategies with rising sustainability demands amidst regulatory pressures, financial constraints, and operational hurdles. 📈 Objectives: Competitors tackled critical objectives: - Crafting a roadmap for 30% emissions reduction by 2030 - Balancing sustainability with profitability - Meeting complex regional regulatory requirements - Managing stakeholder expectations and risks - Ensuring operational efficiency and crisis preparedness - Leveraging tech advancements to enhance competitive positioning ✨ Congratulations to Our Winners! 🏆 1st Place: HEC Team – SHIVANGI KAPOOR, CFA, Tanmay Datt, Aditya Khanna 2nd Place: EM Lyon Team – Mahalakshmi Kannuchamy, Ronan Hassan, Juan Felipe Reyes Heartfelt congratulations to all finalists of this competition! 🙏 A special thanks to our mentors and jury, including HEC professors / experts Françoise Chevalier, Hélène Musikas, Michel Safars, Octavio Augusto de Barros, Fernando J. Diaz Lopez, Ph.D. and Accenture senior directors Samir Souidi, François-Xavier O'Mahony, and @Chloé Hirsch. Your insights challenged the teams and deepened the learning experience. Special thanks to professor Sam Aflaki for his invaluable support and his dedication to promote sustainability education among business management students. 👏 Kudos to the organizers and initiators Shashwat Mehrotra, Swagat Mohanty, Muhammad Waleed, Meghna Joshi, Ha NGUYEN, Maria Fernanda Santillana Rojas, Imanol Mondragon, Marie-Pierre Lethiec - Seyfried, Anne Delanoy for making this impactful event possible! 💡 Our gratitude to professor Brad Harris, and Alison Smart, for their dedication to support climate leadership in HEC Paris MBA and EMBA education. #HECParis #Sustainability #ClimateAndEarthCompetition #MBA #FutureLeaders #SustainableBusiness #Innovation #ClimateAction

A l'entame de la COP29, nous publions un classement qui permet de faire le point sur le respect des engagements pris par les différents gouvernements dans le cadre de l'Accord de Paris. C'est important, parce que les classements qui existent aujourd'hui sur la performance environnementale des différents pays ne portent généralement que sur leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Or, les engagements pris dans l'Accord de Paris sont bien plus larges : ils portent aussi sur l'adaptation, les objectifs de neutralité carbone, la transparence... et le soutien financier et technologique aux pays du Sud, qui est le grand sujet de cette COP29. C'est la grande innovation de notre classement, qui a été réalisé par Aidan Geel au sein de The Hugo Observatory: Environment, Migration, Politics, avec le soutien de DPAM et qui est publié en collaboration avec 2050NOW. Et cela permet de voir que des pays qui sont très avancés en matière de décarbonation ne le sont pas toujours en matière de soutien aux pays du Sud, par exemple. C'est un des aspects sur lesquels la France (classée 9ème) pourrait s'améliorer. Et nous avons aussi utilisé une projection géométrique pour donner un score à chaque gouvernement, de manière à ce qu'un mauvais résultat sur un critère ne puisse pas être compensé par un bon résultat sur un autre. Explications et classement complet ci-dessous ! PS: Quant à la position de la Belgique (19ème sur 24), elle se passe de commentaire.