Students apply business theory to real-world climate solutions in partnership with Waltham Forest Council
London students took centre stage as they presented their findings from a live research project in collaboration with the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) Council.
As part of the MSc International Business and Management course, students have been working in teams on the decarbonisation of commercial assets across the borough. Their work formed the core of their Research Methods module — a project designed to blend academic theory with real-world application.
The challenge asked students to assess how commercial buildings in the borough could become more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Each team independently explored potential solutions, working closely with local stakeholders to ensure their recommendations were practical and impactful.
Ciara Hanson, Climate Programme Manager at Waltham Forest Council, highlighted the value of involving university students in live projects:
She emphasised that hands-on experiences like this not only support students’ development but also contribute to solving real challenges in the sector.
The event highlighted the university’s commitment to students working on live, collaborative projects that reflect real business and policy challenges.
Dr. Debashish (Deb) Sengupta, Module leader and Course leader, said:
The opportunity to do something tangible and contribute to addressing a global problem and at the same time contribute to a local cause was a fantastic opportunity for the students.
The university continues to strengthen its partnership with Waltham Forest Borough Council using projects like this to prepare students for the future of business and leadership, while giving something back to the area.