Are business-school curricula finally starting to take the environment more seriously?

Only six UK business schools make the latest Global 100 list issued by Beyond Grey Pinstripes, a biennial survey of those that integrate social, environmental and ethical issues in their MBA courses.

Nottingham University Business School is the highest-placed UK name in the report commissioned by the Aspen Institute. Its 23rd spot is a jump of five places and the third-best European ranking. But with US names filling 68 spots—seven of which are in the top 10—it is clear that Britain has a lot of catching up to do.

One way UK institutions could fare better is by embracing the green agenda, designing courses that highlight economic and environmental sustainability as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Essex Business School at the University of Essex is one of the first in the country to appoint an environment officer. Dr Steffen Böhm's task is to improve green performance and build sustainability awareness into teaching. Green undergraduate, masters and MBA courses are on offer for 2010/2011.

Nottingham University Business School runs a specialised MBA in CSR and its main MBA includes a core module on sustainable decisions and organisations.

With a more specific focus, Warwick Business School's global energy MBA runs over a three-year part-time course. And Norwich Business School, part of the University of East Anglia, offers a full-time 12-month MBA in strategic carbon management. There's an option to take this course part-time over two to three years at the university's London campus.

Séan Rickard, director of the MBA programme and senior lecturer in business economics at the Cranfield University School of Management, believes the number of UK academies making the Beyond Grey Pinstripes top 100 is set to rise.

He says Cranfield, ranked 80th, has embraced green issues by embedding the concepts of CSR into every module. He adds: "CSR should not be treated as a stand-alone topic and a one-off module as it affects every part of business. For example, even marketing can have social and environmental impacts."

Cranfield, along with many other UK institutions, including Ashridge Business School and Leeds University Business School, has signed up to the UN-backed PRME initiative—Principles for Responsible Management Education—to help champion student awareness of the effects of business on society and the environment.

Compared with countries such as the US and Canada, the UK is still limited in its range of green MBAs. But with greater scrutiny of environmental issues, business schools are likely to offer further options-good news for directors seeking to improve their credentials.