Chapter 5: Transition 2026: stakeholder engagement and the co-construction of a climate strategy in a French business school
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As sustainability becomes a strategic imperative for organizations, HEIs must adapt to a fast-evolving context and ensure transversal integration of sustainability through all its operations - academic, research, operations, partnerships, etc. Previous research has mostly explored the integration of sustainability into courses and research, yet further knowledge is needed on how HEIs integrate sustainability in a more holistic manner, and how they mobilize their stakeholders to do so. By looking at the case of an HEI in France, this chapter explores a multistakeholder co-construction process that led to the creation of the Transition 2026 climate strategy. It discusses the different stages of the 39-month-long process and identifies the challenges and opportunities that emerged from the stakeholder engagement process. Finally, the chapter presents insights and experiences that other HEIs could take inspiration from as they navigate their own transformative sustainability strategic processes.

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