The EQUAL Network has launched the Sustainability in Management Education Survey as part of its Sustainability Dialogue initiative.

This survey forms the first step in developing a framework for sustainability convergence in management education, designed to highlight existing initiatives, identify points of alignment, and create a shared vocabulary for future collaboration.

Purpose of the survey

Rather than promoting standardisation, the survey aims to:

• Celebrate the diverse sustainability work taking place across the network.

• Identify natural points of connection without requiring changes to existing frameworks.

• Establish a shared vocabulary to support collaboration.

• Acknowledge and respect each institution’s contributions and perspectives.

A shared definition of sustainability

The survey adopts a comprehensive definition of sustainability grounded in the landmark Brundtland Commission report, Our Common Future (1987): “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Contemporary understanding recognises that sustainability requires the integration of three interconnected dimensions:

• Environmental: responsible management of natural resources, protection of biodiversity, reduction of pollution, and mitigation of climate change, ensuring resources are consumed at a sustainable rate.

• Social: equal rights and equitable participation in society, encompassing human health, social justice, cultural diversity, and education, while safeguarding social well-being over the long term.

• Economic: the capacity for organisations to continue operations responsibly over the long term, integrating ecological and social considerations into economic activity and ensuring efficient resource use.

This three-pillar framework reflects a holistic view that combines environmental health, social equity, and economic vitality to create resilient and thriving communities.

Benefits of participation

For institutions: Participation provides visibility for sustainability initiatives within the wider EQUAL community, alongside access to an overview of practices from institutions worldwide. This dual benefit allows institutions both to share their work and to learn from others, positioning them as contributors to a valuable sector-wide resource.

For the network: Collectively, the survey supports collaboration based on complementarity rather than competition. The resulting report will demonstrate how varied approaches reinforce the sector’s overall impact. By facilitating this dialogue, EQUAL enables perspectives that no single organisation could generate independently.

What the survey seeks

The survey collects information on:

• Current sustainability initiatives, approaches, and frameworks.

• Implementation successes, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.

• Terminology and concepts that resonate across cultural and institutional contexts.

The initiative does not seek commitments to particular standards, proprietary information, or changes to existing frameworks. Institutions retain full autonomy, and participation in later phases will remain voluntary.

Timeline and next steps

• Deadline for responses: 13 October 2025

• Initial findings shared: December 2025

• Future activities: Optional collaborative phases, including resource development and exchange of practices

Participate in the survey

The Sustainability Survey represents Phase 1 of EQUAL’s Framework for Sustainability Convergence. The initiative is supported by all EQUAL Network members, including international accreditation agencies. Its purpose is not to impose uniformity but to create conditions for voluntary alignment while respecting institutional autonomy and distinct contributions.

By participating, institutions help shape the global development of sustainability in management education while retaining control over their own approaches.

Survey deadline: 13 October 2025
Access the survey: Sustainability in Management Education 
For more information, please contact: Petra Grestenbergerova

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives, visit the conversation on Sustainability in Management Education.