Sustainability Reporting Landscape for UK HE
In partnership with BUFDG, they have produced a document that summarises the existing standards and frameworks for measuring and reporting on climate and climate-adjacent issues in the HE sector.
UK HEPs (Higher Education Providers) have many different stakeholders, and take their civic responsibilities very seriously. Through research, education, and community engagement, as well as through stewardship of large estates, universities are at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis.
As part of their efforts towards transparency and accountability for stakeholders, most HEPs across the UK report on a variety of sustainability-related activities and metrics. In addition, there are mandatory reporting requirements in some areas for HEPs in some countries of the UK (higher education is a devolved responsibility). By extension, for many HEPs (in England, specifically) there is little that is mandatory, and they are left to decide what they should monitor and measure, what they should report on, and where and when to report.
Regardless of legislative requirements, most providers are thorough in their monitoring and reporting of sustainability measures. Where mandatory guidance is absent, providers must navigate a broad range of frameworks that originate in, or are intended for, different countries, sectors and industries. They also look to the best-practice examples set by other providers, or to voluntary sector initiatives.
As the climate crisis becomes more acute, and as the new government beds in and begins to exert its own priorities, we expect the sustainability reporting requirements for the Higher Education sector to solidify. In the meantime, this document is an attempt to summarise the existing requirements that impact the sector, as well as those that the authors perceive may influence future policy and the shape of future regulation. The aim is to help H E providers understand and get ahead of any regulation, such that it is as easy as possible to implement it when it arrives.
The document takes the form of short summaries for each of the various requirements / initiatives, followed by a comparison table that attempts to classify the themes / metrics of each for easier assessment and analysis.
Please note that this does not include the requirements of the various league table compilers, which are numerous and change their metrics frequently. It is not exhaustive and, as a living document it will be updated in response to feedback and developments. If you spot any errors or wish to contribute, please contact Matt Sisson (matt@bufdg.ac.uk).
UK HEPs (Higher Education Providers) have many different stakeholders, and take their civic responsibilities very seriously. Through research, education, and community engagement, as well as through stewardship of large estates, universities are at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis.
As part of their efforts towards transparency and accountability for stakeholders, most HEPs across the UK report on a variety of sustainability-related activities and metrics. In addition, there are mandatory reporting requirements in some areas for HEPs in some countries of the UK (higher education is a devolved responsibility). By extension, for many HEPs (in England, specifically) there is little that is mandatory, and they are left to decide what they should monitor and measure, what they should report on, and where and when to report.
Regardless of legislative requirements, most providers are thorough in their monitoring and reporting of sustainability measures. Where mandatory guidance is absent, providers must navigate a broad range of frameworks that originate in, or are intended for, different countries, sectors and industries. They also look to the best-practice examples set by other providers, or to voluntary sector initiatives.
As the climate crisis becomes more acute, and as the new government beds in and begins to exert its own priorities, we expect the sustainability reporting requirements for the Higher Education sector to solidify. In the meantime, this document is an attempt to summarise the existing requirements that impact the sector, as well as those that the authors perceive may influence future policy and the shape of future regulation. The aim is to help H E providers understand and get ahead of any regulation, such that it is as easy as possible to implement it when it arrives.
The document takes the form of short summaries for each of the various requirements / initiatives, followed by a comparison table that attempts to classify the themes / metrics of each for easier assessment and analysis.
Please note that this does not include the requirements of the various league table compilers, which are numerous and change their metrics frequently. It is not exhaustive and, as a living document it will be updated in response to feedback and developments. If you spot any errors or wish to contribute, please contact Matt Sisson (matt@bufdg.ac.uk).
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