An introduction to the
LiFE Index
Sustainability and Social Responsibility Index
What is the LiFE Index?
✦ The tool has three elements
✦ Performance Improvement System
- which enables
institutional self-assessment, management and
improvement.
✦ Performance Accreditation Programme - which
allows institutions to submit to independent
assessment, verification and accreditation of their
progress
✦ Support package for participants, workshops and
online support
Some general context
✦ Excellent work has been undertaken by many institutions on
sustainability but progress is mixed
✦ Focus has often been on estate related activity
✦ Whole institution engagement is still a challenge
✦ Metrics systems that exist are not sector focused or holistic
✦ There is a need and opportunities for increased dialogue /
partnership nationally and internationally
Guiding principles
✦ Want to reward process and practice – help bridge the
implementation gap
✦ Provide guidance and support without being overly
prescriptive – recognise / reward difference
✦ Recognise that institutional journeys are non-linear and
reward this
✦ Provide a tool to help institutions, manage and evidence
sustainability activity
✦ Stimulate cross institutional dialogue and a whole institution
engagement
What is Sustainability?
“Sustainability is about how institutions do what they do,
its a focus on core activity and about taking
responsibility for the total impact of their activity. A
socially responsible and sustainable institution is one
that is not only profitable but takes account of all the
positive and negative environmental, social and
economic effects it has on society, both now and into the
future”
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Environmental
Reduce the negative
impacts and increase
the positive impacts
of your activity
Social
Economic
Short
Term
Long
Term
Negative
Impacts
We need to
recognise and
enhance the
positives!
Positive
Contribution
What does the system
contain?
• Community and
Public Engagement
• Business and
Industry Interface
• Procurement and
Supplier Engagement
•Leadership
•Staff Engagement and
Human Resources
Leadership
and
Governance
Partnership
and
Engagement
Facilities
and
Operations
Learning,
Teaching
and
Research
• Energy
•Water
•Resource Efficiency and
Waste
•Sustainable ICT
•Sustainable Construction
and Renovation
•Biodiversity
•Travel and Transport
• Learning and
Teaching
• Research
• Student Engagement
WHAT DOES LIFE LOOK
What does it contain?
✦
✦
✦
Small number of questions
Relevant metrics - quantitative
A comprehensive set of development frameworks
covering institutional activity
www.thelifeindex.com.au
WHAT DOES LIFE LOOK
WHAT IS LIFE?
What is LiFE?
Policy and Strategy
Commitments are in
place to
sustainability in this
area of activity
Communication
Action Planning
Action plans are in
place (SMART) and
commitments made
Training and Support
Activity is being
People are being
communicated and
trained and
there is clear support supported
Stakeholder
Engagement
Relevant
stakeholders are
involved in the
activity.
Implementation
Measurement
Institutions are
looking at measuring
the impact and
benefit of the activity
not just the activity
itself
Links to the
Curriculum
Embedded into the
Links between
way things are done, campus, curriculum
systems and
and community
processes
Where are you on your
sustainability journey?
Performance
Management
Staff Engagement
Accreditation
Strategy and plans well
developed, lots of
implementation,
institution considers
itself a leader
Consider using the
frameworks as a
reference point to
review your
activity. The tool
encourages
measuring impact
which may be of
use
Whilst staff are
already engaged the
tool can be used to
manage documents,
share resources, case
studies and increase
engagement.
This is probably your
priority reason for
using the LiFE index.
Strategy and plans
ready for review and
implementation has
been limited.
The tool provides a
mechanism to
review existing
strategies and
plans. The
guidance will help
you plug the gaps
in your strategic
approach.
The structure of the
tool will allow you to
manage increasing
engagement across
the institution in a
manageable way.
Do not consider
accreditation for 6
months.
No meaningful strategy
or plans in place, need
to engage management
and staff
The LiFE index has
been adopted by
some intuitions in
the UK as their
strategy. It can
Staff engagement to
develop and refine
plans and manage
implementation can
all be achieved
Do not consider
accreditation for 9 –
18 months.
Existing sign ups n
the UK!
20%
Consider an early
date to be accredited
65%
15%
Demonstration of the system
✦ Whilst demonstrating the system we will look
✦ Functionality
✦ Data management
✦ People management
✦ Reporting
✦ Best way to use it
✦ Accreditation
Accreditation
✦ Completing the on-line tool
✦ Provide evidence of your journey / narrative
✦ Quality not quantity (Limit on the evidence)
✦ Independent team to assess
✦ Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum – Very difficult
✦ International benchmarking
✦ Governance structure (Stockholm Environment Institute)
Participating institutions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The University of Edinburgh
University of Leicester
The University of Northampton
The University of Nottingham
University of Westminster
Walsall Adult and Community
College
Plymouth University
Keele University
Holmesglen TAFE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Banff and Buchan College
Durham University
Kingston University
Macquarie University
University of Gloucestershire
Nottingham Trent University
Oxford Brookes University
Plymouth University
St Andrews University
Your next steps – making the most
of your EAUC Membership…
1. Sign up to LiFE at www.thelifeindex.org.uk – EAUC
2.
Members receive a significant discount
LiFE support package - to help you get the most value
from participation, this includes regular events, an
online community forum and direct support from the
LiFE team
•
Want to see more – book onto a LiFE webinar for a live
demonstration
3. Want recognition – enter the 2012 Green Gown Awards
Continuous Improvement category. Entries open in
summer 2012
Membership matters at www.eauc.org.uk
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Questions?