The pressing need to close environmental knowledge gaps in emerging business leaders

Abstract

Turning the unprecedented tide of biodiversity loss is impossible without joint efforts from across a range of stakeholder groups. Engagement of the private sector in conservation efforts is, therefore, critically important. However, for businesses to deliberately support biodiversity conservation leaders and managers have to be aware of potential synergies and trade-offs between economic, biodiversity and climate benefits. This understanding can be gained through company collaboration with non-governmental organizations, governmental programs or educational institutions. Awareness-building efforts may be expensive and labor-intensive, likely limiting conservation engagement to a limited number of large corporations. To involve a broader range of companies, integration of environmental education into business programs taught at universities could potentially allow for cost-effective and widespread engagement with future leaders. Currently the idea of sustainability and sustainable development is being promoted at educational institutions in many countries across the globe. However, it is not clear whether business students receive sufficient training to help them make informed decisions supporting sustainable development of the companies that they may lead or establish in the future. This study aims, therefore, to initially document and evaluate student awareness of environmental sustainability. We identified significant gaps that can prevent future business leaders from supporting biodiversity conservation in their business activities, indicating a clear need for integration of environmental education in business-education curricula.