UofT’s Rotman School of Management joins forces with A4S and Brookfield to host the first Accounting for Sustainability International Case Competition, challenging student teams to develop business and financial models for the next generation of sustainable, low carbon urban energy infrastructure
Toronto, ON – The A4S International Case Competition (A4SICC) sponsored by The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S) and Brookfield Asset Management has been launched at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
The A4SICC will be hosted at the Rotman School on March 23 to 25. The objective of the challenge is to seek out disruptive business and financial models that will define the next generation of low carbon, urban energy infrastructure, in order to accommodate the massive increase in urban populations across the world over the next 20-30 years. The proposed models must consider the design and delivery of economically viable, intelligent, low carbon, and sustainable mobility systems, buildings, and civic services. Proposed solutions must also be market-driven, scalable, and measurable. A detailed case document can be found on the competition website at www.a4sicc.com .
The competition is open to post-secondary / university students from around the globe. The first phase of the competition requires student teams to apply with a brief video and a single-page executive summary of their idea by February 11, 2018. The final round of the competition will run from 23-25 March in Toronto, and is expected to bring together key industry professionals and student teams from universities across the world. Finalists will present in front of an experienced panel of respected industry judges and their peers. First place and runner up teams will receive a cash prize of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
According to Jessica Fries, Executive Chairman for The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project, "To make the changes needed to secure sustainable economies, we need new and innovative thinking. We are looking to students, the financial leaders of the future, to develop ideas that are sustainable, financially viable and challenge established business models. This competition provides a forum for students to influence and inspire CFOs and business leaders of key organizations and help transform financial thinking."
Brian Lawson, Senior Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Brookfield Asset Management expressed his excitement at the opportunity, "Brookfield is delighted to be supporting A4SICC. As one of the world’s leading investors and operators of real estate, infrastructure, and renewable energy, we are committed to developing the vision of vibrant and sustainable cities of the future."
Richard Blundell, an adjunct professor at the Rotman School, is confident that A4SICC will galvanize the ongoing shift among young graduates towards companies that focus on sustainability and careers with purpose. He says, “This competition provides students with the unique opportunity to showcase their transformative ideas, and associated skills, to a meaningful audience of peers and industry executives. Moreover, the competition addresses one of the most pressing, global challenges facing cities and their growing population of constituents, while also presenting an equally exciting, material opportunity to deliver real, impactful change.”
A4SICC is being hosted by Rotman Net Impact – the principal sustainability-focused student club at the Rotman School of Management – with support from the Rotman Finance Association.
To learn more, visit www.a4sicc.com or contact a4sicc@rotman.utoronto.ca
About The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S)
The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S) was established by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2004 “to help ensure that we are not battling to meet 21st century challenges with, at best, 20th century decision making and reporting systems”. A4S aims to inspire action by finance leaders to drive a fundamental shift towards resilient business models and a sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.accountingforsustainability.org
About Brookfield
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is a global alternative asset manager with over US$265 billion in assets under management. The company has more than a 100-year history of owning and operating assets with a focus on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity. Brookfield offers a range of public and private investment products and services, and is co-listed on the New York, Toronto and Euronext stock exchanges under the symbol BAM, BAM.A and BAMA, respectively. For more information, visit www.brookfield.com
About Rotman Net Impact
Rotman Net Impact is the principal student club focused on sustainability at the Rotman School of Management. RNI has continually been at the forefront of positive change. It is the local chapter of an international network of more than 60,000 MBA students and professionals creating positive social and environmental change in the workplace and in the world. Rotman Net Impact’s mission is “to inspire, educate and collaborate with Rotman students to harness the power of business in creating social and environmental impact, and to help them secure rewarding careers in sustainability.” For more information, visit https://inside.rotman.utoronto.ca/netimpact/
About the Rotman School of Management
The Rotman School of Management is located in the heart of Canada’s commercial and cultural capital and is part of the University of Toronto, one of the world’s top 20 research universities. The Rotman School fosters a new way to think that enables our graduates to tackle today’s global business and societal challenges. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca.
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