Educators must get on board with ESG and sustainability, or risk being left behind

Moore Australia

11 September 2023

In today's rapidly evolving world, educational institutions are not only responsible for imparting knowledge but also for fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment and society. As concerns about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors continue to gain prominence, educational organisations now not only have a remit to promote conscious choices to students, but their own business and ESG decisions are under more scrutiny than ever before. Moore Australia, with its diverse range of services, is at the forefront of assisting educational institutions in achieving their ESG and sustainability goals.

Understanding ESG and Sustainability Goals in an educational context:
ESG refers to the three central factors that measure how well an organisation is performing on a sustainability front. These factors encompass environmental concerns, social responsibility, and corporate governance. For educational organisations, setting and achieving ESG and sustainability goals demonstrates a commitment to responsible management practices, positively impacting students, staff, and the community. The governance structures and scrutiny placed on educational institutions is often much more stringent than other organisations. They look after our next generation, after all.

Consulting Services: Moore Australia's Governance & Risk Advisory and Business Advisory services are instrumental in assisting educational organisations in formulating and implementing strategies to achieve their ESG and sustainability objectives.

ESG Strategy Development: Moore Australia collaborates with educational organisations to develop comprehensive ESG strategies tailored to their unique circumstances. This involves identifying key risks and opportunities in existing governance structures, setting key priorities, developing measurable and realistic goals, and designing actionable plans.

Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging stakeholders, including your board, students, faculty, parents, and local communities, is crucial for successful ESG initiatives. Moore Australia can assist in facilitating dialogues that foster understanding and buy-in, thereby ensuring the broader community supports your plans.

Sustainability Reporting tailored to your brand narrative: Transparent and robust reporting on ESG performance is vital for showcasing an institution's progress, and must authentically connect to your brand narrative. Moore Australia guides educational organisations in preparing accurate and meaningful sustainability reports that highlight achievements and outline future objectives. These reports will support your communications and marketing departments to craft meaningful stories for your audiences.

Audit and Assurance Services: In addition to consulting, Moore Australia's audit and assurance services play a pivotal role in enhancing the credibility and transparency of an educational organisation's ESG initiatives.

Independent Verification: Moore Australia provides independent assessment and verification of an organisation's sustainability disclosures. This verification lends credibility to reported data, assuring stakeholders that the information is accurate and reliable.

Risk Assessment: ESG risks can impact an institution's reputation and financial stability. Moore Australia's expertise in risk assessment ensures that potential ESG-related risks are identified, evaluated, and effectively managed.

Compliance and Accountability: Educational organisations often have legal and regulatory obligations related to sustainability. Moore Australia's audit services ensure that an organisation is complying with relevant regulations and industry standards, holding them accountable for their ESG commitments.

In conclusion, Moore Australia's comprehensive suite of services empowers educational organisations to integrate ESG and sustainability considerations into their core operations. Through strategic consulting and rigorous audit and assurance, Moore Australia supports these organisations in their journey toward a more sustainable and responsible future. By prioritising ESG and sustainability goals, educational organisations not only fulfil their societal responsibilities but also create a positive impact on the world and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.