Sustainability

Sustainability and Impact

WE PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT

We use our expertise in finance to help people, businesses and communities to develop their full potential in environmentally, economically and socially sustainable ways. Our modern, sustainable main campus in Frankfurt is situated between the Deutsche Bundesbank and the European Central Bank headquarters, and in close proximity to Goethe University, the German National Library, and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Furthermore, it is in proximity to Frankfurt's Stock Exchange, the headquarters of several European and German financial supervisory agencies and around 300 financial institutions based in Frankfurt's financial district.  

GLOBAL IMPACT

The unique business model of Frankfurt School combines research and education with international advisory services across four continents, leveraging our expertise in these fields and our privileged location at the heart of the Rhine-Main, one of Germany's most dynamic metropolitan regions. We are committed to sustainability in our operations and portfolio, voluntarily adhering to German and international frameworks and standards, and collaborating with multilateral organisations, governments, and companies to advance global transformation. 

Our contributions and progress are regularly reviewed and certified or accredited by independent agencies. This commitment to excellence and transparency is regularly reinforced through public sustainability and impact reports.

Transformation through Collective Action  

UN Global Compact

A United Nations initiative to promote more social and sustainable globalisation.

The UN Global Compact, the world's largest initiative for corporate sustainability, aims to accelerate sustainable transformation through socially and environmentally responsible business practices, promoting comprehensive social goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Frankfurt School contributes to this global commitment by prioritising economic, social, and environmental sustainability at the core of its strategic management, practice, and portfolio. We contribute to the implementation of numerous SDGs in areas such as education, employment, reducing inequalities, and climate protection.

Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) 

As one of the first signatories of the PRME initiative, Frankfurt School promotes responsible management and sustainability through its programs, research, and institutional culture.

An initiative supported by the United Nations, it aims to train leaders who are professionally competent, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious.
Frankfurt School joined PRME in 2008, becoming one of the first academic institutions worldwide to do so, and has supported it ever since. The initiative now has over 800 participants. We contribute to PRME by integrating sustainability and responsible management into our institutional culture, the curricula of our study programs, our teaching methods, research, and campus life. In addition, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable transformation programs, including the Sustainable World Academy, the Development Finance E-Campus, and Executive and Professional Education.

Annual reports on our progress in implementing the PRME principles are publicly available on the initiative's website.

The WIN Initiative

A nationwide alliance to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Germany by 2030.

The WIN Initiative – short for “Growth and Innovation Capital for Germany” – is a public-private alliance launched in 2024 to create a more dynamic and supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship across all industries by 2030. Its 38 members include the Federal Ministries of Finance and Economics, financial institutions, companies, interest groups, and selected universities. Frankfurt School's participation in this alliance reinforces our ongoing commitment to fostering a robust and effective start-up ecosystem in the Rhine-Main region.

The Frankfurt Declaration 

By signing the Frankfurt Declaration, Frankfurt School is helping to position the financial sector as a driving force for sustainable development and impact finance.

The Frankfurt Declaration was initiated by Deutsche Börse Group in 2017 with the aim of promoting the sustainable transformation of Frankfurt as a financial centre.
Frankfurt School joined the initiative alongside leading banks, companies, and interest groups from the asset management, consulting, and sustainable development sectors. This has created new opportunities to consolidate and expand projects such as FS Impact Finance, a subsidiary founded by Frankfurt School in 2008 that mobilises capital and expertise for impact investing and financial solutions that promote inclusive economic growth, environmental protection, and global landscape restoration.

Diversity Charter

The Diversity Charter promotes an inclusive workplace culture that values the talents of each individual.

As a signatory, Frankfurt School is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all people can contribute to our shared success according to their talents and abilities.

Transformation through Collective Action  

UN Global Compact

A United Nations initiative to promote more social and sustainable globalisation.

The UN Global Compact, the world's largest initiative for corporate sustainability, aims to accelerate sustainable transformation through socially and environmentally responsible business practices, promoting comprehensive social goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Frankfurt School contributes to this global commitment by prioritising economic, social, and environmental sustainability at the core of its strategic management, practice, and portfolio. We contribute to the implementation of numerous SDGs in areas such as education, employment, reducing inequalities, and climate protection.

Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) 

As one of the first signatories of the PRME initiative, Frankfurt School promotes responsible management and sustainability through its programs, research, and institutional culture.

An initiative supported by the United Nations, it aims to train leaders who are professionally competent, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious.
Frankfurt School joined PRME in 2008, becoming one of the first academic institutions worldwide to do so, and has supported it ever since. The initiative now has over 800 participants. We contribute to PRME by integrating sustainability and responsible management into our institutional culture, the curricula of our study programs, our teaching methods, research, and campus life. In addition, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable transformation programs, including the Sustainable World Academy, the Development Finance E-Campus, and Executive and Professional Education.

Annual reports on our progress in implementing the PRME principles are publicly available on the initiative's website.

The WIN Initiative

A nationwide alliance to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Germany by 2030.

The WIN Initiative – short for “Growth and Innovation Capital for Germany” – is a public-private alliance launched in 2024 to create a more dynamic and supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship across all industries by 2030. Its 38 members include the Federal Ministries of Finance and Economics, financial institutions, companies, interest groups, and selected universities. Frankfurt School's participation in this alliance reinforces our ongoing commitment to fostering a robust and effective start-up ecosystem in the Rhine-Main region.

The Frankfurt Declaration 

By signing the Frankfurt Declaration, Frankfurt School is helping to position the financial sector as a driving force for sustainable development and impact finance.

The Frankfurt Declaration was initiated by Deutsche Börse Group in 2017 with the aim of promoting the sustainable transformation of Frankfurt as a financial centre.
Frankfurt School joined the initiative alongside leading banks, companies, and interest groups from the asset management, consulting, and sustainable development sectors. This has created new opportunities to consolidate and expand projects such as FS Impact Finance, a subsidiary founded by Frankfurt School in 2008 that mobilises capital and expertise for impact investing and financial solutions that promote inclusive economic growth, environmental protection, and global landscape restoration.

Diversity Charter

The Diversity Charter promotes an inclusive workplace culture that values the talents of each individual.

As a signatory, Frankfurt School is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all people can contribute to our shared success according to their talents and abilities.

Transformation through Collective Action  

UN Global Compact

A United Nations initiative to promote more social and sustainable globalisation.

The UN Global Compact, the world's largest initiative for corporate sustainability, aims to accelerate sustainable transformation through socially and environmentally responsible business practices, promoting comprehensive social goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Frankfurt School contributes to this global commitment by prioritising economic, social, and environmental sustainability at the core of its strategic management, practice, and portfolio. We contribute to the implementation of numerous SDGs in areas such as education, employment, reducing inequalities, and climate protection.

Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) 

As one of the first signatories of the PRME initiative, Frankfurt School promotes responsible management and sustainability through its programs, research, and institutional culture.

An initiative supported by the United Nations, it aims to train leaders who are professionally competent, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious.
Frankfurt School joined PRME in 2008, becoming one of the first academic institutions worldwide to do so, and has supported it ever since. The initiative now has over 800 participants. We contribute to PRME by integrating sustainability and responsible management into our institutional culture, the curricula of our study programs, our teaching methods, research, and campus life. In addition, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable transformation programs, including the Sustainable World Academy, the Development Finance E-Campus, and Executive and Professional Education.

Annual reports on our progress in implementing the PRME principles are publicly available on the initiative's website.

The WIN Initiative

A nationwide alliance to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Germany by 2030.

The WIN Initiative – short for “Growth and Innovation Capital for Germany” – is a public-private alliance launched in 2024 to create a more dynamic and supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship across all industries by 2030. Its 38 members include the Federal Ministries of Finance and Economics, financial institutions, companies, interest groups, and selected universities. Frankfurt School's participation in this alliance reinforces our ongoing commitment to fostering a robust and effective start-up ecosystem in the Rhine-Main region.

The Frankfurt Declaration 

By signing the Frankfurt Declaration, Frankfurt School is helping to position the financial sector as a driving force for sustainable development and impact finance.

The Frankfurt Declaration was initiated by Deutsche Börse Group in 2017 with the aim of promoting the sustainable transformation of Frankfurt as a financial centre.
Frankfurt School joined the initiative alongside leading banks, companies, and interest groups from the asset management, consulting, and sustainable development sectors. This has created new opportunities to consolidate and expand projects such as FS Impact Finance, a subsidiary founded by Frankfurt School in 2008 that mobilises capital and expertise for impact investing and financial solutions that promote inclusive economic growth, environmental protection, and global landscape restoration.

Diversity Charter

The Diversity Charter promotes an inclusive workplace culture that values the talents of each individual.

As a signatory, Frankfurt School is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all people can contribute to our shared success according to their talents and abilities.

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Educational Offer  

As a result of our commitment to the UN PRME, ESG topics are embedded in the curricula of all our academic programmes, with the purpose of equipping future experts and leaders with the skills needed to balance economic, social and environmental protection goals in their business decisions.

Furthermore, Frankfurt School’s 

Sustainable World Academy 
Development Finance E-Campus
Executive and Professional Education 

offer a comprehensive portfolio of online, on-site and in-house sustainable transformation-focused options, such as certificate and Master’s programmes, and seminars in multiple languages. 

These are designed for experienced professionals working in leadership and management positions and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive transformation and sustainable development in fields such as sustainable finance, impact investing, ESG reporting and governance. They also help participants become acquainted with the international institutional landscape of sustainable transformation and build professional networks that enable them to advance their careers and maximise the impact of their work.  

Research and Competence Centres  

Our research and competence centres link academic contributions to education, practice and society, addressing ESG topics in multiple ways that reflect our overarching commitment to sustainability. Among them are several centres that enable Frankfurt School to exercise thought leadership in areas such as Environment and Sustainable Finance as well as Management Economics and Corporate Finance.

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Entrepreneurship & Innovation  

We promote entrepreneurship through a robust ecosystem that integrates education, research and collaboration with investors and the industry. 

Our Entrepreneurship Centre offers tailored coaching, networking opportunities and access to funding, assisting founders and early-stage companies in developing business models and scaling operations. 

Futury run in collaboration with Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Technische Universität Darmstadt, serves as a hub for transforming academic research and innovative ideas into market-ready startups. In line with Frankfurt School’s participation in the WIN-Initiative, this project aims to establish 1,000 new startups by 2030, providing structured programmes that guide founders from idea generation to market entry, supported by industry expertise and capital. 

These efforts underscore our commitment to enhancing the startup ecosystem in the Rhine-Main region and fostering sustainable development and prosperity for all through collaboration between academia, industry and society.  

Sustainable Development Across the World  

Frankfurt School’s International Advisory Services works with multilateral organisations, financial institutions, governments, companies and civil society to drive sustainable development worldwide. Our team of experts uses applied research, consulting and education to help institutions and communities find sustainable and inclusive solutions for a broad range of challenges and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Their areas of expertise include risk, governance and regulation, climate change adaptation, climate and sustainable energy finance, affordable housing finance, SME banking, rural and smart agri-finance, HR management and development, digital finance solutions, as well as financial inclusion, empowerment and social entrepreneurship.  

CERTIFICATIONS AND RANKINGS

We have our sustainability performance regularly assessed by EcoVadis and were awarded the gold medal in 2023 and 2024.

Our main campus in Frankfurt has been awarded platinum certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) for exemplary ecological, economic, and sociocultural sustainability.

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