30 May 2025
Recently, the BSc Environmental Science programme launched an exciting ESG pathway, after receiving approval from the University of Liverpool. This development aligns well and complements its two current pathways in Environmental Pollution and Ecology. The ESG pathway provides an innovative educational direction for interested students in the School of Science and International Business School Suzhou, by offering modules/coursed which support national strategic priorities and future priorities for sustainable development and environmental protection in China and across the world.
Frontiers of the Disciplinary: Why choose ESG?
Given the global trend of climate change crisis, social equity challenges, and governance innovation, ESG (Environmental, Social Sustainability and Governance) has become the key framework for addressing human sustainable development issues. From the incorporation of green energy to urban carbon neutrality planning, and the responsible investment by financial institutions to international sustainable development goals according to the United Nations, ESG is reshaping the job market and brings added value to leading industries. The "2025 Sustainable Talent Demand White Paper" reveals that there is currently a talent gap of 2.27 million jobs in the ESG and carbon management fields in China. Therefore, the ESG pathway promises to train students form Science and Business in securing these highly in demand jobs and offering them rewarding careers.
Highlights of the Disciplinary: What makes our ESG direction different?
XJTLU and the School of Science are among the first universities and leading academic units in China to offer an ESG pathway in our BSc Environmental Sciences programme. It provides several distinct advantages: 1) an interdisciplinary integrated educational model, 2) dual mentor guidance (academic and industry) throughout the programme, and 3) a close link between academics and enterprise, establishing an educational opportunity which integrates theory, case studies, and practical experience within leading industry settings in Suzhou, China and beyond.
Dual mentor system
-Academic Mentor: Experts in the field of Environmental Sciences and ESG provide academic guidance to students.
-Industry Mentor: An ESG professional committee comprised of external industry mentors provide industry support.
Interdisciplinary Approach
In the School of Science and the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, our faculty are expert teachers and highly accomplished researchers. ?Staff are very experienced and trained in the most prestigious international universities in the world. The curriculum is well planned and designed to integrate Earth System Science, Sustainability Environmental Economics, and Environmental Policy.
Practice-oriented education
Students will have practical modules, such as environmental statistics, environmental economics and green and renewable energy. There will be a number of visits and field trips to leading ESG industries. The Final Year Project is a research based module that allows students to be supervised jointly by academic staff and external industry mentors.
The School of Science and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) actively monitor and adequately respond to the strategic action plans of the Suzhou Industrial Park to strengthen the development of the ESG concept and related strategic initiatives. Our Department has established an ESG professional committee of outstanding external industry mentors starting in December 21, 2024. We have signed a number of strong collaboration agreements with many leading enterprises and research institutions, aiming to build an ESG pathway that emphasizes a carbon neutrality ecosystem and promotes the popularization of best practices in the field. Our ESG pathway in the BSc Environmental Sciences programme will help promote the implementation of key ESG initiatives at XJTLU and cultivate sustainable talent by training our undergraduate students from Science and Business to meet the high demands of a growing job market in China and the world.
Specialized Syllabus
- Core Modules: Climate Change & Risk, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy & Governance, and Sustainable Energy.
- Hands-on Learning: Field trips, lab work, and a Final Year Project focused on ESG-related research.
- Industry Alignment: Curriculum designed with expert industry input to meet the growing demand for highly trained ESG professionals.
Broad Prospects of Employment
In the recent past, our graduates from the BSc Environmental Sciences programme have already successfully secured high end ESG-related jobs. Now with the new ESG pathway, we aim to enhance our students professional knowledge by providing specialized courses in environmental economics, sustainability, environmental policy and governance. Additionally, with the support from our ESG professional committee of external industry mentors, our students can gain practical internship opportunities in ESG positions within companies. They will be well equipped to become specialized ESG professionals and enhance their competitiveness in the job market for rewarding careers and professional advancement. A world of opportunities awaits our students!
For more details, please contact Programme Director:Dr. Lei Han (lei.han@xjtlu.edu.cn).
30 May 2025