Study sustainability at Rotman Commerce
Strengthening your Rotman Commerce degree with a sustainability focus equips you to lead in a world where environmental and social responsibility increasingly drive strategy and innovation.
Read on to discover why sustainability expertise gives you a competitive edge, view recommended courses and extracurricular opportunities, and explore career paths where you can make a meaningful impact.
On this page
Why focus on sustainable business?
Create solutions that matter in a changing world
Sustainability studies equip you with the tools to design smarter, more resilient ideas that create real value for business and society.
Build a career advantage across every field
Leaders in finance, strategy, consulting, tech, marketing and entrepreneurship all need to navigate climate risk, social impact and long-term thinking. Learning this now gives you a powerful edge.
Become part of the next generation shaping business for good
Studying sustainability connects you with emerging pathways, meaningful work and a community of people committed to building a better future.
Sustainability degree options
Incorporate sustainability into your degree at Rotman Commerce alongside fulfilling your degree and specialist requirements. Rotman School of Management offers several sustainability-focused courses for upper-year students, and electives from other faculties are a great opportunity to explore sustainable business and impact and could count towards a certificate or minor.
RSM Courses (upper year)
ECO Courses
Other Elective Recommendations
- ENV100H1 – Introduction to Environmental Studies
- ENV101H1 – Confronting the Climate Crisis
- ENV222H1 – Pathways to Sustainability
- ENV322H1 – International Environmental Policy
- ESS205H1 – Confronting Global Change
- CRE235H1 – Innovation in Society
- JGE331H1 – Resource and Environmental Theory
- ENV411H1 – Sustainability Thinking
- ENV462H1 – Energy and Environment: Economics, Politics, and Sustainability
RSM Special Topics Courses
Content in Special Topics Courses will depend on the instructor in any given year. Examples of topics:
Minors & Certificates
Certificate in Sustainability aka “Sustainability Scholar”. (Note that if a course you take is focused on sustainability but is not listed as counting toward the certificate you can request that they consider it – this only works for up to 0.5 credits)
Sustainability Citizen Program: Receive official recognition for sustainability-related extracurricular activities. This is great (and simple to obtain) if you are going to events or are a part of a sustainability club, you can add this to your LinkedIn and resumé.
Focus Within Your Specialist
- ASFOC2431D – Focus in Strategy and Innovation (Can be taken as part of the Management specialist)
- Focus in Managing in Diverse Economies (UofT Global Scholar, can be taken as part of any of the 3 specialists*)
Unsure how sustainability fits into your specialist? Learn more about focuses, or book an appointment with an academic advisor.
*3 specialists: Management, Accounting, and Finance & Economics
Outside the classroom
Clubs & Student Groups
Getting involved with student groups is a great way to meet other students, build real-world experience, add skills to your resumé and explore careers.
Note: RC club positions will be posted on the Rotman Commerce portal under Jobs and Opportunities.
Work study
The work study program offers part-time, paid on-campus employment for students across departments, colleges and facilities. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop skills while earning money. All work study positions are Co-Curricular Record (CCR) recognized.
- Sustainability Office at UofT St George (work study roles with the office include Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Waste & Material Recovery Coordinator, Energy and Water Analyst)
- CECCS: Committee on the Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability (look out for work study roles posted by CECCS, which often involve research)
Note: Applications for work studies typically open at the start of the semester (September and January) and a resumé and cover letter are generally required. To search opportunities and apply, login to CLNX (Career & Co-curricular Learning Network) using your UTORid.
Careers in sustainable business
There are so many career paths where you can make an impact. Developing sustainable business knowledge and experience during university can open doors to diverse roles in finance, accounting, management and beyond.
Explore classes, clubs, events, panels, internships, and conversations with others to learn what interests you. If a particular role stands out, research it further and look for professionals in the space at events, on LinkedIn or within your networks.
Finance
- Sustainable Investing, Impact Investing*, Renewables/Climate Tech Investing (Venture Capital, Public or Private Equity)
- Sustainability Risk Analyst
- Biodiversity Finance
- Green Bond Structurer
- Climate Risk Insurance Analyst
- Blended Finance* Analyst
Economics/Policy
- Environmental/Urban Sustainability/Energy & Resource Economist
- Climate Policy Analyst, Public Policy Analyst (Energy Focus)
- Carbon Pricing Analyst
- Environmental Justice Economist
Management
- Sustainability/ESG*/Social Impact Consultant
- Sustainability Program Coordinator
- Variety of roles at sustainable CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) or Fashion companies i.e. Ethical Sourcing/Supply Chain or Sustainable Procurement Specialist, Sustainable Brand or Marketing Specialist, and Community Sustainability Liaison
- Sustainability Reporting Analyst
- Clean Tech Business Analyst
- Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator
Accounting
- ESG Reporting Analyst
- Sustainability Assurance Associate
- Carbon Accountant, GHG Emissions Auditor
- Sustainability Metrics Analyst
*Impact investing: investments made into companies/funds with the intention to generate a measurable, beneficial social and/or environmental impact alongside a financial return
* Blended finance: when public money (governments or charities) works with private money (like banks or companies) to pay for big projects (investments) that help people or the planet, like building clean energy, schools, or hospitals.
*ESG: Environmental, Social, Governance
Alumni pathways
Elfine Caumont, RCSB Founder and past Co-President
Graduated 2023: Specialist in Management, Focus in Strategy and Innovation, Minor in Environmental Economics, Certificate in Sustainability
Courses they recommend: Sustainability Strategy, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability Thinking, Pathways to Sustainability, International Environmental Policy, Energy & the Environment
What they do now: Experience Design Specialist at Cadillac Fairview
Advice: “Not all businesses are at the same point in their sustainability journey. Some embed it into everything they do, while others must work within tight constraints that prevent them from advancing as quickly as they’d like. There is more than one way to move sustainability forward—whether environmental or social. My advice is to be a driver of change within your organization: ask the tough questions, and more importantly, propose solutions that improve both business outcomes and sustainability. Celebrate your organization’s efforts when they take a step in the right direction.
I also recommend getting involved wherever you can—through volunteering, external organizations, or by following sustainability thought leaders. Stay curious and explore a wide range of disciplines. Sustainability is a wicked problem, and the more you know across different topics, the better you’ll be at making connections and finding inspiration to achieve your goals. Finally, I encourage you to learn about behavioural economics and design thinking. Both offer powerful tools to understand human motivation and provide fresh approaches to tackling complex problems.”
Susanna Zamiela, Past RCSB Director of Marketing
Graduated 2025: Specialist in Management, Environmental Studies Minor, Sustainability Certificate
Courses they recommend: Sustainability Strategy, Sustainable Finance, Environmental Studies minor
What they do now: People & Sustainability Consulting at KPMG
Advice: “Try to get yourself out there, take courses that make you stand out! Do research outside of these courses for example sustainability ratings or some sort of niche and get really knowledgeable about it. I cannot stress this enough but if you have the opportunity attend sustainability related events. I got a chance to attend them for free through my summer placements but going to free ones is a great start!”
Darion Driedger, Past RCSB President and Director of Events
Graduated 2024: Specialist in Finance and Economics, Data Science Focus
Courses they recommend: Sustainable Finance, Earth Science (ESS100)
What they do now: Strategy, Risk, Transactions – Strategy and M&A rotational program at Deloitte
Advice: “Be passionate about sustainability and strategy. As well, keep up to date on M&A deals. Network with a lot of people and be curious.”
2025 Graduate, Involved with RCSB Events team
Specialist in Management, Environmental Economics & Environmental Studies Minors, Data Science Focus, Sustainable Pathways Certificate
Courses they recommend: The U of T Campus as a Living Lab of Sustainability (ENV461)
What they do now: Cleantech Junior Analyst at MaRS Discovery District
Advice: “Build a story about yourself and stay true to that when looking for internships/jobs. It is definitely a tough market, and it took me a lot of work, and I wasn’t on the timeline I maybe hoped for but it was so worth it because where I ended up so far has been a great fit. Your story can certainly start in undergrad through clubs like RCSB, research opportunities, and even just project-based courses to gain applicable skills, especially if you can advertise yourself well in interviews/coffee chats.”
The Sustainability at Rotman Commerce guide was put together by 2026 RC graduates and current Rotman Commerce Sustainable Business Group leaders Teya and Ali.
Have questions about studies and careers in sustainable business? Teya and Ali are happy to connect with students interested in this field on LinkedIn!
