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Leeds has been recognized by Poets&Quants with its 2026 Best in Class Award for Sustainability, honoring a commitment that has shaped the school’s teaching, research and community for decades.

Since the naming of Leeds 25 years ago, sustainability has been one of the school's defining priorities. Today, sustainability extends from curriculum and research to experiential learning, entrepreneurship and alumni impact, and is a��key component of the Leeds Strategic Plan.

“Receiving the Poets&Quants 2026 Best in Class Award for Sustainability is a proud moment for the entire Leeds community,” said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of Leeds. “Sustainability has long been one of our defining priorities, shaping how we teach, conduct research and engage with industry partners. By embedding environmental and social responsibility throughout our curriculum and co-curricular experiences, we equip students with the analytical skills and ethical judgment to think long term, consider how today’s decisions affect future generations and the wider community, and create lasting value for organizations, society and the planet.”��

From the classroom to the world

What Leeds students learn in the classroom, they bring out into the world as they carve out career paths in sustainability. Whether reimagining waste at major sports arenas, advancing conservation funds or shifting to renewable energy, Leeds alumni are finding their passion in purpose-driven companies.

That foundation begins with a curriculum designed to prepare students to address sustainability through the lens of business. Leeds’ undergraduate Sustainable Business Area of Emphasis and Master’s in Sustainable Business are two ways sustainability is integrated into the student experience. Programs such as Impact Internships give students opportunities to put those skills to work with mission-driven organizations.

Leeds also brings the business world to students. Last academic year, the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR) welcomed 58 panelists and industry leaders to share their expertise. Each year, graduate students from across the country also come to Leeds for the Sustainability Case Competition.

Sustainability education at Leeds and career opportunities are supported by an ecosystem that includes Leeds’ Social Responsibility and Sustainability Division, CESR, and Boulder Climate Ventures (BCV), an interdisciplinary program that equips students to develop and launch high-impact startups focused on climate solutions. �鶹��ý was the first public university in the United States to join Breakthrough Energy’s University Climate and Energy Ventures program, which renewed its commitment to BCV this year.

Research with real-world impact

Leeds’ sustainability focus also extends to faculty research that informs industry, entrepreneurship and public policy.

Jeff York and Sebastian Villa are fellows in the Sustainability Research Initiative (SRI) Fellowship program, which serves as an intellectual incubator for �鶹��ý researchers. York’s research focuses on environmental entrepreneurship and industries that reduce environmental degradation. Villa’s research focuses on improving the operations of businesses at the base of the pyramid and nonprofit organizations, helping small business managers enhance profitability to support their families’ financial and emotional well-being.

Asaf Bernstein, professor of finance, brought his expertise in climate finance to the Securities and Exchange Commission, where he served for a year as a senior academic advisor on climate issues.

Through the Initiative for Global Business Impact and Citizen Well-Being, Leeds faculty collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers at global institutions on issues including financial well-being, climate sustainability, housing and food systems.

Part of a sustainability ecosystem

Leeds’ commitment to sustainability is part of a broader culture across �鶹��ý. This year, Leeds participated in the inaugural �鶹��ý Sustainability Research Summit, a two-day event showcasing the breadth of sustainability research across campus. Leeds professors offered sessions exploring sustainability in supply chain management, barriers to sustainable solutions, and the potential for sustainability startups.

Research takes place within a university that has earned international recognition for sustainability. In 2026, �鶹��ý became the first U.S. institution named , recognizing sustained progress across operations, academics and community engagement.

"This award highlights how business education��serves as a vital engine for �鶹��ý’s overarching sustainability impact," said Senior Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock. "This work��requires an interdisciplinary approach where policy, science, engineering and enterprise intersect. Leeds continues to play a central role in connecting business students and the broader campus to scale real-world solutions."

Leeds also benefits from its place in a Boulder ecosystem that includes more than 1,000 climate and sustainability researchers, 12 research institutes, 75-plus research centers and a robust network of clean-tech, natural products and sustainability-focused businesses.

“Addressing the most pressing global challenges of our time is fundamental to our public mission at �鶹��ý," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "Leeds' dedication to embedding sustainability throughout its academic, research and entrepreneurial programs illustrates how we prepare leaders who don't just react to a changing landscape—they shape it. This Best in Class Award reflects the incredible work of our faculty, students, and partners who are translating sustainable business practices and responsible leadership into actionable, global impact."