Sustainability Case Competition

About the Case Competition

Phoenix Sustainability Initiative, in collaboration with the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), hosts an annual spring Sustainability Case Competition. The competition requires undergraduates to employ an interdisciplinary approach to a client-selected, environmental-focused prompt and accompanying data set.

This Case Competition, set at the intersections between business, data science, and sustainability, provides the opportunity for students to critically investigate a modern-day problem within the scope of business sustainability and provide a realistic, well-developed, and research-backed solution to be implemented at the client’s business.

Case teams receive one sustainability related case question and may choose their main approach using either qualitative (using pre-existing data or findings to support the proposed solution) or quantitative (engendering new findings through analyzing the novel data set to support the proposed solution) analysis. Teams in either division are eligible for prizes: $3000 for 1st Place, $1500 for 2nd Place, and a $500 Wildcard Honorary Mention.

An Interdisciplinary Experience

A unique undergraduate opportunity within sustainability

Our Sustainability Case Competition Provides:

The opportunity for students to provide real, impactful solutions to a climate-related business problem using interdisciplinary methodologies and processes.

A mentorship component pairing teams with graduate students that assists the participants in gaining real world perspective on solution feasibility, understanding of the current landscape of sustainability and ESG, and providing continual feedback.

A networking-forward final reception that will act as a culmination of sustainability related partners and advocates across all levels of the university: students, departments, career services, research organizations, and alumni.

Meet Our 2022 Client:

Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, renewable hydrogen and green fuels facilities, and bioenergy plants.

Hear from the inaugural Sustainability Case Competition Working Team, participants, judges, and sponsors about their experience in our 2022 Concluding Symposium video.