200 likes | 317 Views
Transformational CSR Simon Cooper CSR Consultancy Ltd. Sustainability. HE is recognised for its Environmental activity But there are 3 other pillars: the workplace the way staff are employed, developed and rewarded the marketplace
E N D
Transformational CSR Simon Cooper CSR Consultancy Ltd.
Sustainability • HE is recognised for its Environmental activity • But there are 3 other pillars: • the workplace • the way staff are employed, developed and rewarded • the marketplace • the relationship with students and other ‘customers’, and the way the University’s suppliers are treated • the community • the hinterland of the University and the economic, cultural and social effects of students and university staff on their neighbours Taken together, these are Corporate Responsibility
Transformational CSR • Environmental • Reduce waste, increase resource efficiency, manage carbon • Workplace • Train & develop employees to transform their abilities & lives
Transformational CSR • Community • Use the power of the university to transform neighbourhoods & bring economic success • Marketplace • Education for Sustainable Development & Global Citizenship – transform the way your graduates see their place in the world
Transformational CSR • Transformational change is possible through a holistic approach to sustainability • But only if you address all 4 pillars • Arguably, the 3 non-environment pillars have more potential for transformation • But environmental sustainability is essential to give us the life support for the other 3…
How do you do it? • Through measuring and benchmarking your performance on each of the 4 pillars • Revealing your strong points and areas for improvement • Achieving the right balance between the 4 pillars
Continuous improvement “You don’t fatten a pig by weighing it” • Benchmarking gives you an annual fix on how you are doing compared to peers • Where you are leading, teach others • Where you lag, learn from others • Benchmark – improve – benchmark again
What is the CR Index? • Management tool for integrating CR • Framework for a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting social and environmental performance • Benchmark for comparing an University’s management processes and performance with those of others in the sector/Index • Method for engaging board members and raising awareness of CR risks and opportunities • Communication tool with internal & external stakeholders
UTC History • HEFCE LGM Pilot Project 2005-07 25 HEIs involved • HERDA-SW LGM Regional Project 2007 – 11 HEIs • UTC approved in June 2008 for 3 year tapered funding
Who’s taking part? • 58 Universities & Colleges • 50/50 Environment Index & Corporate Responsibility Index • Including HEFCE • Largest sector in history of Index • More than 100 practitioners attended workshops • Online survey, deadline yesterday
The results • Detailed Feedback Report • Fantastic improvement tool • Packed with comparative information • Individual ‘live’ feedback for HEIs • Annual benchmarking process • To be shared with stakeholders • Improvements implemented • Report as basis for next Index
Student Expectations • Forum for the Future & UCAS - 25,300 answers • 57% rate their HEI as good or very good on social/environmental issues • 42% would like more information from HEIs to help their choice • 41% want carbon quotas • 86% say material consumption must reduce
Funders’ context • Labour – Dept. of Energy & Climate Change created • Conservatives – Green New Deal • Wales – Sustainability as a central plank of public policy It’s difficult to imagine a future where HE funding won’t have some sort of sustainability element
Transforming through CR?“Doing things right” “Institutions which are reducing their carbon footprint, introducing eco-efficiencies, greening their supply chains, collaborating with their communities and providing supportive as well as excellent places to work and study will be the institutions selected by staff and students wanting to align their futures with the organisations that share their values” UTC Pilot Project Report, January 2007
Going higher & deeper“Doing the right thing” "Education can help us only if it produces 'whole men'. The 'whole man' will not be in doubt about his basic convictions, about his view on the purpose of life. He may not be able to explain these matters in words, but the conduct of his life will show a certain sureness of touch which stems from inner clarity.” E.F. Schumacher - Small is Beautiful (1973)
The higher purpose of HEDoing things right & Doing the right thing If we can create teaching, learning and research that produces people who think of themselves as truly global citizens, is that not the best contribution we can make to sustainable development, as well as the highest purpose we could aspire to? Transformational CSR - for the planet
Transformational Change through Corporate Responsibility Benchmarking