Changing hearts and minds: Benchmarking for sustainability

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Changing hearts and mindsBenchmarking for
sustainability

• Professor Patricia Broadfoot
• Vice Chancellor
• University of Gloucestershire

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Why benchmark?

• Diagnosis
• Integration
• Communication
• Challenge
• Collaboration

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EAUC national benchmarking study

• 25 Universities completed survey 2006
• Institutional feedback 2007
• Gap-analysis and action plan 2007

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What the survey told us strengths

• Corporate values in the DNA
• Management strategy integration into key targets
  and processes
• Performance improvement systems

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What the survey told us challenges

• Integration
• Visibility
• Training
• Performance management

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examples of response

• Established a Sustainability Institute with
  comprehensive remit to respond to Index.
• Appointed a Professor of Sustainability.
• Vice-chancellors green forums
• Bike scheme
• ISO14001Accreditation commits to continuous
  improvement.
• Established key stakeholder partnerships eg
  Cheltenham Festivals

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Key success factors

• Commitment at the highest level
• Culture change
• Ownership

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Future objectives

• Visibility of sustainability agenda across
  institution and beyond through perceived top
  level commitment
• Integrate sustainability into all policies and
  strategies eg course validations
• Student engagement and curriculum experience
• Benchmark with other universities for mutual
  support.

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Benchmarking in the South West Region

• 11 HEIs completed BiTC Environment Index.
• Identified key success areas.
• Identified common challenges
• Working together to support and inform change

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Our goal

• Sustain external reputation for strong commitment
  to sustainability agenda.
• Be active in shaping the sustainability agenda,
  nationally and internationally.
• Involve whole university community staff and
  students.
• Use benchmarking as the basis for continuous
  improvement.