Environment and Business

Eco-warrior, meet business mogul

Today, smart businesses know that sustainability has to be a core part of their plan. In Environment and Business — the only program of its kind in North America — you’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of environmental issues and the business world.

Study finance and field ecology, entrepreneurship and environmental ethics, plus a whole lot more, and get the opportunity to get paid work experience through co-op on top of that.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to make a difference, whether that’s developing business plans for renewable energy suppliers, analyzing the environmental record of a Fortune 500 company, or helping businesses reduce their ecological impacts.

20 months of job experience

You’ll get plenty of hands-on experience through 20 months of paid co-op work experience, plus a fourth-year capstone project where you’ll do sustainability consulting for real-world clients.

Grow your own green business

Have an idea for an environmental business or social enterprise? Take a course in green entrepreneurship. Or drop by Velocity Start @ Environment to work on your business plan with one-on-one coaching from an experienced advisor.

Waterloo Environment and Business student writing on whiteboard

Growing up, Okeoghene quickly discovered that creating a sustainable future is as much about protecting our natural resources as it is fostering a competitive business landscape. As a student in Environment and Business, she's been able to put her passion for sustainability to work.

For adding sustainability to university business programs in Canada (Corporate Knights magazine)

Briefcase Gain 20 months of valuable hands-on experience through co-op

Ribbon Only program of its kind in North America

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

Any Grade 12 U English (final grade of 70% is required)
Recommended courses: one Grade 12 U Mathematics, one Grade 12 U Science, Grade 12M Principles of Financial Accounting, Analysing Current Economic Issues (where offered)

Admission averages: Low 80s

We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

Get tips from Waterloo students

tips for a successful senior year of high school,
how to choose a university program,
differences between high school and university, and more.

First-year courses

September to December

AFM 131 - Introduction to Business in North America
ENBUS 102 - Introduction to Environment and Business
ECON 101 - Introduction to Microeconomics
INDEV 100 - Introduction to International Development
One elective

January to April

ENVS 131 - Communications for Environmental Professions
ENVS 178 - Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
ENVS 195 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
AFM 123 - Accounting Information for Managers
ENBUS 112 - Operationalizing Sustainable Development within Business

After first year

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Environment and Business courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View a list of the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

ENBUS 203 – Green Entrepreneurship
ENBUS 307 – Industrial Ecology: Life Cycle Assessment and Management in Business
ENBUS 309 – Applied Social Marketing
ENBUS 402A/ENBUS 402B – Environment and Business Capstone Project

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

Assistant environmental planner
Sustainability coordinator
Outdoor environmental education instructor
Research associate
Junior policy analyst
Operations and logistics analyst
Environmental technician
Sales and marketing intern

Sample co-op employers

Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Ziptrek Ecotours
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Regional Municipality of Peel
Ericsson Canada
Metrolinx
Manulife Financial
Minto Group

Click Apply directly to this program on your application

Offered by the Faculty of Environment

Graduation Cap Earn a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree

Customize your degree

You can add additional expertise to your degree by choosing one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Some popular choices for Environment and Business students include minors in Geography and Environmental Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship.

What can you do with a degree in Environment and Business?

Our graduates often pursue careers in health and safety, project management, and environment. They often work in consulting, banks, manufacturing, various levels of government, and more.