Small-medium business sustainability metrics yalonis-SEC5.12
Institutionalizing Sustainability Performance Metrics
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Transcript of Institutionalizing Sustainability Performance Metrics
Institutionalizing Sustainability Performance Metrics
Smart & Sustainable Campuses Conference 2013Presented by
Keri Enright-KatoYale Office of Sustainability
IndicatorSignal that reveals progress (or lack thereof) towards objectives; means of measuring what actually happens against what has been planned in terms of quantity, quality and timeliness. An indicator is a quantitative or qualitative variable that provides a simple and reliable basis for assessing achievement, change or performance.Source: Handbook on monitoring and evaluating for results. UNDP, Evaluation Office, New York, 2002.
MetricStandard of measurementSource: Merriam Webster Dictionary
Selecting Meaningful Sustainability Indicators
Five Key Questions:
1. What is your intended sustainable outcome? What do you
value?
2. Do the indicators you’ve selected measure progress toward
your goal/outcome?
3. Is your indicator clear and easy to understand?
4. Is the indicator based on accessible data?
5. Are you collecting too many indicators?
Selecting Meaningful Sustainability Indicators
Often considered unverifiable and subjective. However, if properly developed and interpreted, qualitative indicators play a significant role in identifying constraints to implementation and obstacles to success, which may not be readily apparent. i.e. conducting focus groups with targeted questions leading to insightful responses.
QuantitativeObjective and verifiable metrics that are represented by a number. Typically easier to collect. i.e. campus greenhouse gas emissions.
Proxy/Indirect An indirect measure that can represent the impact. i.e. Number of people that subscribe to our campaign emails or number of green office certifications indicate levels of engagement.
Qualitative
Yale University: Sustainability Metrics Timeline
2006 20082005 2010 2012 2013
Yale Office of Sustainability Founded
Metric collection commences
Formal analysis of trends presented to AVP of Facilities
Sustainability Strategic Plan Developed
First Progress Report & Transition metrics to a cloud based data software program
Second Progress Report and Strategic Plan 2.0
Yale Office of Sustainability
2005 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013
Tips for Standardizing the Data Collection Process
Face to Face Meeting
Automated System
Email Request
Frequency
Storing Your Metrics
Storing Your Metrics
Strategic Planning & Setting Targets
Communicating Metrics: Website
Communicating Metrics: Reports
Communicating Metrics: Campaigns, Posters, & Fact Sheets
Communicating Progress: Annual Progress Report
Communicating Metrics: Equivalencies
Communicating Progress: Equivalencies
Communicating Metrics: Equivalencies
Communicating Metrics: Presentations
Questions?