for educators

As Global North citizens, how does responsibility and impact show up in our lifestyles? How do our consumption trends connect to the climate crisis? This workshop demystifies the world of corporate sustainability by taking a critical look at ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. Students will investigate cases of greenwashing, understand planned obsolescence, and learn the key role that financial institutions play in funding the fossil fuel industry, while empowering them to see themselves as agents of change.

It also points out problems with ideas like “carbon neutral,” showing why real emissions cuts (“real zero”) are more important than buying offsets. The presentation highlights how everyday choices around food, travel, shopping, tech, and banking all connect to ESG issues. Finally, it encourages us to think about the whole life cycle of the things we use, notice when companies design products to break quickly (planned obsolescence), and reflect on what role we can play as consumers in creating fairer and more sustainable systems.

In this interactive workshop, students will step into the world of circular economy entrepreneurship- where businesses are designed to reduce waste, reuse materials, and create sustainable products. After learning the basics of the circular economy and seeing real-world examples, students will form small teams to design their own circular business idea (e.g., upcycled fashion brand, reusable packaging system, phone repair and resale service).

Teams will then present their ideas in a Shark Tank-style pitch, where a panel of “investors” (workshop facilitators or peers) will ask questions and give feedback. The goal is to think creatively about how businesses can make money while also helping people and the planet.

This workshop explores how gender and climate change intersect, with a focus on empowering young women as sustainability leaders. The session first highlights the challenges women face in the context of climate change, such as greater health risks, exclusion from decision-making, lack of funding, and gender-specific threats. The “eco-gender gap” is also introduced to show how women often express stronger concern for the environment yet are underrepresented in leadership and consumer influence. Overall, this workshop makes tangible connections between global issues and local policy, preparing students to think critically about community development.

A case study (TransformWR) demonstrates gaps in integrating gender equity into sustainability planning, followed by insights on women’s leadership in business sustainability. The workshop concludes with reflection questions on defining empowerment, recognizing role models, and considering advocacy pathways.