Introduction

We are currently immersed in a dynamic project that marries our enthusiasm for sustainability with tech innovation and teamwork.
This ongoing effort focuses on the vital world of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting within academic institutions.
Collaborating with UTD's Sustainability Director and innovative startup CopperWire, we are leading a drive to refine ESG reporting methods and bolster sustainability outcomes.
Through research, strategic partnerships, and tech integration, we are bridging the gap between university sustainability initiatives and modern digital solutions.

In this ongoing venture, our collaboration with UTD's Sustainability Director and CopperWire forms the core. Our mission is to revolutionize how universities handle ESG reporting by tapping into technology and teamwork.

AASHE FRAMEWORK

As part of our ongoing venture, we are actively engaged in ESG reporting, particularly for AASHE STARS(Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System).
AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, is a globally recognized organization committed to advancing sustainability practices within academic institutions.

AASHE STARS is their flagship program, providing universities and colleges with a comprehensive framework to assess, track, and communicate their sustainability efforts.
This robust system covers a diverse range of categories and metrics, including environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices.

STEPS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT

Analyzing Gaps and Mapping Processes:
The first step of the project involved identifying the gaps in the current system. We did this by going through the publicyly available data on AASHE's webstie.

After finding these gaps we worked with the Sustainability Director at the University to understand the other pain points in the reporting process.
Upon talking to the director we found that there were a lot of processes that were labor intensive and had a lot of manual processes to collect the data.
In order to optimize these processes we carried out the process mapping for them to understand them in detail.
Innovating Together:
In order to tackle the identified problems we collaborated with the experts in this field, CopperWire Systems(which provides Full-lifecycle ESG data traceability & reporting across your value chain)

With UTD's Sustainability Director and CopperWire, we're working together closely. This collective effort sets the stage for the changes we aim to bring.
Tech-Driven Transformation:
Through AI and blockchain, we're building an ESG reporting tool. This digital solution automates tasks, improving accuracy and efficiency. The integration of blockchain enhances data credibility.
Precision and Progress:
The ongoing implementation of the AI tool streamlines reporting, reducing errors and enhancing data precision. This directly contributes to measurable advancements in sustainability.
Driving Sustainability Impact:
Ultimately, our project is about making university ESG reporting more impactful. By boosting transparency, efficiency, and accuracy, we're enabling better sustainability decisions.

As the project progresses, I remain dedicated to my belief that teamwork, research, and technology can foster real change, creating a brighter future for sustainability.

ACTUAL PROCESS MAPPING

Reporting Academic Credits

As part of our demonstration for universities, our primary focus was on addressing the academic credits associated with the STAR framework, specifically AC1, AC2,& AC9 which emphasizes sustainability-focused academic courses, learning outcomes and research focus in the University.

The AC1 metric reporting endeavor required the collection of various data points. These encompassed the following:

Total number of undergraduate courses offered by the institution
Number of undergraduate courses offered that have a sustainability focus
Number of undergraduate courses offered that incorporate sustainability content
Total number of graduate courses offered by the institution
Number of graduate courses offered with a sustainability focus
Number of graduate courses offered that include sustainability content
Total number of academic departments offering courses at any level
Number of academic departments offering sustainability-focused courses
Submission of the institution's inventory of sustainability course offerings and descriptions (uploaded)
Clarification on whether the reported figures span one, two, or three academic years
A concise explanation of the methodology used to compile the course inventory, including how the total number of courses offered was determined and how sustainability course offerings were identified. This should encompass definitions and the validation process.

One of the most significant challenges we encountered in reporting this metric was sourcing accurate data. Once the data source was identified, the process involved manually reviewing thousands of course descriptions to determine their relevance to sustainability.

Our current approach utilizes a set of keywords aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to filter the courses. However, this method resulted in a list of false positives that necessitated manual review before proceeding with the submission.

By utilizing CopperWire's solution we aim at eliminating the manual processes involved at extracting the data and reviewing it.

PS: This is an ongoing project and will be updated as and when we are making the progress.

(Last updated on 14th September 2023)