In addition to integrating the challenges of the ecological and social transition into the heart of its research and teaching, Audencia is implementing an ambitious CSR strategy that involves the entirety of the school's departments and stakeholders. This co-constructed approach structured around five priorities, which are broken down into quantified objectives and action plans monitored by the CSR Delegation.
The quality of Audencia's CSR approach and its integration into the school's strategy have been recognized by the LUCIE label, which Audencia obtained for the first time in 2013 and which it has since renewed every three years
To define and monitor its CSR strategy and that of the Gaïa School, Audencia has set up a strategic CSR committee composed of external stakeholders recognized for their expertise and commitment to the ecological and solidarity-based transition. This committee meets twice a year.
List of members of the CSR Strategic Committee:
We used a materiality matrix to define Audencia’s priority CSR actions. Using other business schools in France and abroad as our benchmark as well as interviews with various categories of stakeholders, we first identified 36 key challenges for Audencia, divided into 6 groups (education, research, ecology, social, territory and governance). Next, we invited our stakeholders to rank these 36 CSR issues according to their perceived relative importance. Nearly 800 students, graduates, partners, and employees answered the corresponding questionnaire. Simultaneously, we worked with the school's management committee to identify which of these 36 issues had the greatest impact on the school's activities. This allowed us to identify 5 key CSR issues considered both as very important by our stakeholders and as having a very strong impact on our activities according to our management committee :
1. Developing innovative research partnerships to help companies and society evolve
2. Defining carbon emission reduction targets in line with those of the European Union
3. Rethinking education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals
4. Acting in favor of gender equality in the workplace
5. Promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities and ensure accessibility for all
In association with the various departments of the school concerned, we then defined three quantified objectives for each of the five priority CSR issues as well as action plans.
The adoption of a low-carbon strategy is one of Audencia's five CSR priorities, which the school has identified through a materiality matrix developed with its various stakeholders. In addition to this priority, the school is committed to limiting and recycling its waste and regenerating biodiversity. As a strategic partner of WWF France since 2010, the school is carrying out numerous actions in the field of ecological transition that involve its students and graduates, its employees, and its partners.