Two years ago the Worldwatch Institute indicated there were only four business schools in the US that focused on sustainability. Today a Google search shows many more institutions have integrated sustainability as a component in their business school curricula. Globally, institutions seem to be recognizing the necessity of educating a next generation of business leaders who will have more than just financial returns and industry domination on their minds. Additionally, increased consumer awareness of environmental and social issues will continue to influence actions of corporations, governments and non-profits.

As companies begin modifying the way they do their business to include greater environmental and social responsibility they will be seeking talent to help successfully shape these changes. Green collar jobs will likely be filled by laborers shifting from blue collar work and it seems that future C-level and upper management positions will need to be filled by leaders with working knowledge of sustainability.

However, firms have only begun to take that leap of faith. To date, large corporations like Wal-Mart, GE and DuPont have used consultants to help begin to green their bottom line, but their management teams are filled largely by professionals without expertise in sustainability. Part of the reason many haven't hired business leaders with sustainability expertise is likely to be the newness of the field.

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