Greenwashing or real impact? A dive into education’s sustainability efforts, ET Education
One has probably heard of green products that claim to be eco-friendly, all-natural, or organic, committing to sustainable practices. When in reality, these claims are often false or may be a sign of greenwashing. Often a marketing jargon, these claims are not always meaningful or responsibly used. The expectation of competitive advantage in the guise of sustainability has propelled green and social washing. Despite this, in recent years unaccountability and unfounded claims for symbolic sustainability have backfired for many as the media, public, and regulators. With 31% of publicly listed organisations linked to greenwashing and social washing, understanding the real impact of these programs is vital. Why greenwashing remains a persistent concern
In simpler words, greenwashing or green sheen is providing misleading or false claims about how a company’s products are environmentally sound. However, such deceptive practices are not only limited to corporate industry. An Environmental Defense Fund survey details that 42% of students feel their colleges or universities are practicing greenwashing. Reports such as these raise suspicion about the authenticity and reliability of stated sustainability efforts. It is now crucial to analyze tangible, quantifiable outcomes to distinguish between greenwashing and true impact. Carbon footprint reduction is one of them. Reports have shown that institutions with aggressive sustainability programs saw their carbon footprint fall by an average of 25% in the last ten years.
Best practices
Several universities are fostering genuine, impact-based initiatives to combat greenwashing and achieve sustainability goals. One such notable example is “Sustainable Stanford,” a sustainability initiative by Stanford University. Through this program, the university is focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, and water conservation. Similarly, UC Berkeley’s energy efficiency efforts since 2008 have reduced carbon emissions by 15,000 tons. In doing so, these universities have established themselves as visionaries and leaders in the sustainability sector. By integrating environmental responsibility into their operations, they aim to address the issues of climate change and global warming. Other initiatives like solar power installations, rainwater harvesting, and green building can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption.
Forward-thinking curriculum design
Students are also now expecting more from them and higher education can lead them to sustainable living and professions. Even with this achievement, the realization that 70% of young people lack preparation to address climate change underscores the continued relevance of universities to this role of transformation. However, universities have the power to influence and transform sustainability measures worldwide. Recent studies show that 67% of universities now have courses with sustainability as a focus, and 45% have degree programs related to sustainability. The academic emphasis makes the graduates familiar with environmental issues and equipped with the skills and knowledge to resolve them. Many institutes are offering interdisciplinary programs incorporating environmental science, economics, and social sciences, providing holistic understanding to students.
One of the best ways to estimate true sustainability is the operational component of a campus. Key areas of emphasis within this include reducing waste, sustainable construction, and adopting renewable energy sources. According to several studies, 40% of colleges remain to be equipped with integrated recycling programs, and only 20% have substantially invested in renewable energy. However, sustainability initiatives need to go beyond campus boundaries.
AASHE’s 2023 Sustainable Campus Index observed 58% of institutions surveyed engage in local sustainability initiatives, including urban agriculture, watershed stewardship, and renewable energy training. Some of the institutes in India have undertaken various community-based initiatives on sustainable agriculture and water management, impacting local communities while offering hands-on learning opportunities to students.
Unlocking true sustainability
Critics claim that true sustainability is too expensive, but facts indicate otherwise. Institutions that invest in sustainable measures realize returns in 5-7 years through energy, waste, and water savings. With growing focus on environment conservation, government and policy makers are too focusing on green financing, green bonds, and grants. Initiatives such Unnat Bharat Abhiyan are connecting with higher education institutes to facilitate and accelerate sustainable growth across communities.
True sustainability can only be achieved through accountable, transparent, ongoing efforts. In spite of doubts, numerous institutions demonstrate that true sustainability can be achieved and is worthwhile through the measurement of outcomes, inclusion of sustainability in curricula, implementation of green practices, and community engagement. Education is the most potent tool which one can use to alter the world. As universities welcome sustainability, they arm not only graduates, but also the world, with the tools for a better future.
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