Forward-looking education— —starts with a company’s own operations

Social responsibility in education doesn’t stop at the curriculum. We help educational institutions embed sustainability into their strategy, policies, and reporting.

Expectations are rising, but the structure is lacking

Educational institutions play an important role in society. As a social organization, you can make an impact by translating sustainability strategies into policy decisions and actions—not just on paper, but in your day-to-day decisions. In this way, you can make a difference for people, the environment, and society.

Although there are no formal reporting requirements yet, trends indicate that this will change in the future. Therefore, preparing by being transparent about sustainability means getting a head start.

Students are the future. Partners, parents, students, and faculty are increasingly basing their decisions in part on an institution’s sustainability policy. By putting sustainability goals into practice and reporting on them, your institution demonstrates that it is looking to the future.

Something we see a lot in the industry

Focus on the core process

In education, the primary focus is on the core process: providing a quality education. Sustainability is often viewed as an afterthought—something added on rather than an integral part of the process. As a result, initiatives remain fragmented, and there is a lack of central coordination.

A transportation company invests in more sustainable fuels or electric vehicles, but finds that customers are not willing to fully cover the higher costs. Due to the low profit margins in the transportation sector, this is often not financially attractive enough.

No time or space for sustainability in curricula

Sustainability is not systematically integrated into curricula. Teachers are eager to incorporate it, but lack a framework, materials, or mandate. At the same time, pressure is mounting from students and policymakers to give sustainability a prominent place in education itself.

A logistics service provider wants to build a loading hub for electric trucks, but is told that upgrading the power grid won’t be possible for several years. Sustainability plans are being delayed, investments are being postponed, and companies are missing opportunities to take the lead in the energy transition.

No Centralized Recording of Sustainability Data

Data on energy consumption, waste, mobility, and procurement is scattered across departments, locations, and systems. There is no comprehensive overview, which makes reporting time-consuming and makes it difficult to measure or manage progress.

No common ground among employees

Sustainability requires broad support. If employees have different ideas about what sustainability means for the organization—or simply don’t know much about it yet—it’s difficult to work together. Without a shared language and common goals, sustainability remains an issue for a few rather than for everyone.

How We Help

Understanding Our Own Sustainability Performance

We assess your institution’s ESG performance: energy consumption, mobility, procurement, waste, and social issues. This provides a clear starting point and highlights where the greatest opportunities for improvement lie—both in operations and, optionally, in education and research.

A clear overview of the current situation
Understanding what is already going well and what could be improved
Foundation for a Realistic Sustainability Strategy

Insight into potential cost savings

Sustainability and cost reduction go hand in hand more often than people realize. Energy savings, smarter procurement, and reduced waste also yield financial benefits. We help identify and quantify opportunities so that the business case for sustainability becomes concrete.

Identification of Energy-Saving Opportunities
Understanding Grants and Funding Options
Better justification for investment decisions

Transparency toward stakeholders

Parents, students, faculty, financial backers, and the government are expecting greater transparency regarding educational institutions’ sustainability policies. Through clear reporting, your institution can demonstrate that it is taking responsibility and acting with an eye toward the future.

Annual Sustainability Report in accordance with the Guidelines
Communication support for stakeholders
Strengthening Reputation and Trust

A Broad Approach to Social Responsibility

Sustainability in education goes beyond energy conservation. It touches on civic education, diversity and inclusion, employee health, and the way the institution contributes to the local community. We help structure that broad responsibility and embed it in policy.

Integration of E, S, and G into Strategy and Policy
Link to the SDGs and social objectives
Ownership and support within the organization

Relevant Educational Frameworks

Guidance on Voluntary Sustainability Reporting for Educational and Research Institutions

The Guide provides educational institutions with a practical framework for voluntarily reporting on sustainability. It offers a structure for identifying relevant topics, engaging stakeholders, and drafting a sustainability section in the annual report. Although voluntary, the Guide is widely used as a standard within the sector and serves as good preparation for future requirements.

Sectoral Roadmap for Making School Buildings More Sustainable

The roadmap provides educational institutions with guidance on making their real estate more sustainable. It outlines concrete steps to make school buildings energy-neutral, in line with national climate goals. For institutions with extensive and often outdated real estate portfolios, this serves as an important framework for prioritizing and justifying investments.

There are currently no formal reporting requirements for the education sector comparable to the CSRD. However, pressure from funders, partners, and the government is increasing. Starting early with reporting provides a strategic advantage.

What's Happening in the Industry

Energy Consumption

School buildings and campuses are often energy-intensive and outdated. Heating, lighting, and equipment contribute significantly to an institution’s carbon footprint. At the same time, making real estate more sustainable offers opportunities for cost savings and a better learning environment.

A transportation company receives enough orders, but is unable to complete all the trips due to a shortage of drivers. As a result, orders must be outsourced or even turned down.

Cooperate Green helps assess energy consumption, identify energy-saving measures, and provide support with grant opportunities and reporting.

Citizenship

Sustainability and citizenship education are increasingly intertwined. Students expect their institutions to play an active role in society and to not only advocate for sustainability but also to put it into practice. At the same time, the link between sustainability and the curriculum offers opportunities to integrate topics such as climate, the circular economy, and social justice in a meaningful way.

A transportation company is investigating whether electric trucks are economically viable for regional distribution and what charging solutions are required for this.

Cooperate Green helps link sustainability goals to the institution’s education and research profile.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sustainability is also about people. A safe, inclusive, and diverse work environment contributes to the well-being of employees and students and strengthens the institution’s standing in society. Rising expectations from students, employees, and funders are making this issue increasingly urgent.

A logistics service provider has been asked by a major client to provide a breakdown of CO₂ emissions for each transport operation. Without reliable data, it will be difficult to meet the client’s request.

Cooperate Green helps identify social sustainability issues, set goals, and establish monitoring and reporting systems.

Waste Policy

Schools and educational institutions generate significant amounts of waste: from office supplies to educational materials and cafeteria waste. A circular approach to procurement and waste management is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Cooperate Green provides support in measuring waste streams, developing circular procurement policies, and reporting on progress.

How We Work Together

We offer educational institutions a roadmap for phased sustainability reporting. This begins with an assessment of your location’s needs. Depending on the specific needs, a plan is developed:

Step 1

Introduction and Assessment

After a general introduction to the Sustainability Reporting Guide and the formation of the project team, the key stakeholders and themes are identified. Based on this, the indicators that are relevant and specific to your institution are determined.

Step 2

Baseline Measurement

A baseline measurement is conducted by collecting data on the relevant indicators. This serves as the starting point for developing a sustainability policy, which is then integrated into the regular planning and control cycle. Each year, this provides information for reporting.

Step 3

Tailored Guidance

Depending on your needs, we offer support at various levels:

Consulting — project management, expertise, and input when progress stalls
Professional Development — Workshops and In-Depth Study on Specific Topics
Gathering Information — for the Purpose of Sustainability Reporting
Full Implementation — Cooperate Green takes charge of the project and guides your team through each step
Auditor’s Report — Assurance in Reporting Through a Statement from Our Auditors

Reference: Van Ree Accountants

Van Ree Accountants

Ready to take the next step?

Please contact our nonprofit expert, Tanja de Jonge, for a no-obligation consultation about what Cooperate Green can do for your educational institution.