Identificare gli indicatori utili a valutare le performance di sostenibilità dell’Università, sia in riferimento agli obiettivi prefissati sia in relazione a opportuni benchmark. Tali indicatori, valutabili e misurabili direttamente, possono tuttavia essere raggruppati e pesati così da definire veri e propri indici di performance, anche per singole aree di intervento (per esempio: risparmio energetico, consumo di acqua, orientamento alla sostenibilità delle attività didattiche o di ricerca, ecc.)
Definire obiettivi e target definiti e circoscritti. Oltre che coerenti con la sustainability policy, tali target devono essere correlati a specifici indicatori, legati a scadenze temporali ed eventualmente riferiti a porzioni dell’organizzazione, quali un Dipartimento, un edificio, un corso di studi.
Tabella 1.1. Principi identificativi di una sustainable university
(fonte: United Nation Environment Program, 2012).
Clear articulation and integration of social, ethical, and environmental responsibility in the institution’s vision, mission, and governance
Integration of social, economic, and environmental sustainability across the curriculum, commitment to critical systems thinking and interdisciplinarity, sustainability literacy expressed as a universal graduate attribute
Dedicated research on sustainability topics and consideration of “quadruple bottom line” sustainability aspects in all other research
Campus planning, design, and development structured and managed to achieve and surpass zero net carbon/water/waste, to become a regenerative organization within the context of the local bioregion
Physical operations and maintenance focused on supporting and enabling “beyond zero” environmental goals, including effective monitoring, reporting and continual improvement
Policies and practices which foster equity, diversity, and quality of life for students, staff, and the broader community within which the university is based
The campus as “living laboratory” – student involvement in environmental learning to transform the learning environment
