In 2018, American University became the largest higher education institution in the United States to reach carbon neutrality. Through reducing overall emissions, using renewable energy sources and offsetting the remainder, American University achieved carbon neutrality two years ahead of its goal. A testament of this vision rests in the Kogod School of Business, which houses a Masters in Sustainability Management. This will be the 10th year running for the Masters in Sustainability Management program at Kogod. It is one of the few sustainability programs offered at a business school and the only program of its kind with a fully online option. Through the years, the program has evolved from a novel idea to one of the leading sustainability programs in the nation. Just this year, it was awarded the Page Grand Prize, which recognizes excellence in sustainable business education. Previous winners have included the likes of Harvard University, Duke University, Cornell University, and Northwestern University.
Yet a lot has changed since the inception of Kogod’s Sustainability Management program. The public and private sector are embracing sustainability faster than ever. As a new generation of consumers who value sustainability enter the fray, corporations are placing sustainable initiatives at the forefront of their business models. The federal government passed sweeping legislation that gives incentives for sustainable practices and investments. NGO’s are increasingly growing and on the front lines advocating for more action. Industries are looking for a resource that will blend future trends, ideas, research, and perspectives to serve as a useful tool for their own sustainability strategies. This is what the Kogod Sustainability Review (KSR) will accomplish.