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February 7, 2022

How Colleges and Universities Plan the Right ESG & Sustainability Mission (Part 2)

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How colleges and universities improve ESG & sustainability performance

Colleges and universities have high student demand for sustainability, diversity and inclusion. Many have established plans and goals. This guide explains how to accelerate and improve ESG & sustainability performance.

If this sounds like a big ask, schedule a free chat with us around your ESG and sustainability journey.

How Colleges and Universities Plan the Right ESG & Sustainability Mission (Part 2)

Discovery and celebration of existing strengths and wins

Though ESG and sustainability are new or trending terms, the ethos of environmental friendliness and community engagement thankfully are not. Your institute may already have a number of practices, policies, projects and people focused on amazing outcomes that genuinely fit your goals.

Further, your student body may already be passionate, and your institute may already indeed have student groups, associations, and clubs on relevant ESG and sustainability topics.

For example, Rutgers University in New Jersey has quite a number, including the Rutgers University Sustainability Coalition (“a coalition of student organizations dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”).

In another example, Washington & Jefferson College has a committee comprised of students, faculty and staff that develops and enhances various campus initiatives including a recent ‘Green Guide to Living’ and onsite sustainability projects.

Set and communicate clear goals and priorities

Communication is key. Dedicating intranet and webpage space for content on clear sustainability and ESG goals and priorities can help drive success.

For example, Carnegie Mellon University publishes clear environmental commitments and tracks progress, awards and activities associated with them in a robust manner. Carnegie Mellon benchmarks itself externally with a number of ‘report cards’ and openly shares it pledge and master plan.


In the diversity and inclusion category, Ohio University publishes public data and interactive dashboards, and provides support resources, videos and information (and was recently awarded 2021 HEED award from Insight into Diversity Magazine).

Engage on campus…

Beyond educational content, curriculum and communication, the student body can drive ESG and sustainability for the institute. Many notable universities actually provide one-time grants to students, faculty, and staff to facilitate projects such as green pilots, sustainability and inclusion including Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard.

…and beyond with the right partners and vendors

It’s important to allow momentum to build a program for ongoing data collection, reporting and governance as well as input on best practices, peer reviews and execution.

Indeed, two of the six UN Principles for Responsible Management Education are ‘Partnership’ and ‘Dialogue’ including with business corporations.

More than just a check box exercise, the right approach can provide students, faculty and staff with real world access, exposure and resource to support their goals and the institution’s mission.

At Veritrove, in addition to providing cutting edge data and reports, we can design and deliver initiatives and outcomes for your goals.

Tap into grants, awards and subsidies as ‘no money, no mission’

There is a wide (yet confusing) array of grants, awards and subsidies available at federal, state and local levels (from governments, charities and businesses) to drive a range of ESG and sustainability efforts (either as a macro topic or for specific activities such as wildlife, forestry, recycling or diversity).

Understanding how to find, apply and receive these new sources of funds is so critical as in these budget constrained times ensuring adequate funding can make or break a project (‘no money, no mission’).

Think big, start small

If changing the world or even the progress of your institution can seem too much, remember all great journeys start with one step.

If you’d like a brief, complimentary discussion with us around your ESG and sustainability journey feel free to schedule a chat with us.

About the author

Matt Wheatley is the founder of Veritrove: a strategic & digital ESG partner that gets you insights and value from across your supply chain.

Our team finds you cost efficiencies, business value and market differentiation, not just compliance.

We drive insights and unlock value from ESG, sustainability and responsibility initiatives; helping you set, measure, and maximize your ESG actions within your overall mission.

Read part 1 our article, “How Colleges And Universities Plan The Right ESG & Sustainability Mission (Part 1)”

More About the Author

Matthew Wheatley

Founder

Matt has around two decades experience including CRO & VP leadership roles (revenue generation, strategy, change and P&L responsibility) in Fortune 500 and private equity energy services and energy technology businesses.

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