IIM Bangalore announces net zero targets, new course on responsible business

The institute’s emission targets cover the operations of a densely populated residential campus, home to over 1,200 students, faculty, and staff, and a green expanse of over 20,000 trees, encompassing native, flowering, and fruit-bearing species.

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has announced its commitment to achieving Net Zero Scope 2 emissions by 2030 and Scope 1 emissions by 2035, along with releasing the ‘IIMB Sustainability Report’, coming up with a new core course on ‘Responsible Business and Sustainability’, and launching a fleet of EVs on its campus in south Bengaluru.

The institute’s emission targets cover the operations of a densely populated residential campus, home to over 1,200 students, faculty, and staff, and a green expanse of over 20,000 trees, encompassing native, flowering, and fruit-bearing species.

“Climate change is the biggest challenge that mankind is facing, but most people are unaware of it, which puts twice as much responsibility on those of us who are aware,” said Prof. Haritha Saranga, Chairperson, Sustainability Taskforce at IIMB, and faculty in Production & Operations Management (POM), at an event held to mark the World Environment Day on June 5.

The IIMB Sustainability Report, audited by a third party and formally released at the event, details data from FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25. It carries information on critical initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint, foster innovation, and leverage technology in advancing campus-wide sustainability. These include energy-efficient infrastructure, renewable energy systems, integrated rainwater harvesting and reclaimed water systems.

“Our absolute emissions have reduced by nearly 10% from 2019 to 2024 despite an increase in campus population by 20%. Our per capita emissions have also reduced by nearly 25% during the same period,” Ms. Saranga said.

The event marked the rollout of a new core course for the PGP-2 cohort titled ‘Responsible Business and Sustainability’. Delivered to all eight sections of the cohort, the course aims to equip students with critical tools for addressing environmental, managerial, and developmental challenges.

“We are experimenting with horizontal teaching to confront complex problems from multivariate business lenses. Our aim is not to offer immediate solutions, but to foster deep engagement with difficult questions,” said Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean - Alumni Relations and Development, and faculty in the OB&HRM department.