From resources-driven to planet-conscious, Hayley Dunn explains why business leaders are crucial in embedding sustainable practices in their organisations.

Championing sustainability

School business leaders play a vital role in creating value for their school or trust. Traditionally, their focus has been on maximising income, minimising costs and risks, keeping everyone safe and deploying resources effectively. However, the emergence of sustainability as a critical business issue demands a shift in approach. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the scientific body that advises the United Nations on climate change – has released a new report (www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/). The report summarises six key pieces of research completed over the past five years and will be central to discussions when countries meet at COP28 in Dubai later this year. In the press release for the report (tinyurl.com/5d6xm3ew), the IPCC says the solution is in “climate resilient development”, which involves integrating measures to adapt to climate change, with action to reduce or avoid emissions in ways that provide wider benefits. 

Each of us can play a part in creating a better environment for everyone. By embracing sustainable practices, business leaders can create value in the following ways: 

1: Sustainability can lead to cost savings. Sustainable practices such as energy-efficient technologies, waste reduction and environmentally friendly processes can result in significant savings for schools, colleges and trusts. Reduce, reuse and recycle are core principles of sensible resource use. Business leaders can, therefore, identify and implement sustainable practices that reduce operating costs and build a more sustainable bottom line. 

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) UK has produced a green budgeting toolkit for public sector finance professionals highlighting the crucial role practitioners can play in green budgeting (tinyurl.com/5dsev62h). The toolkit shares practical approaches, including green budget tagging, environmental impact assessment and environmental cost–benefit analysis. 

2: Sustainability can create value through innovation. By incorporating sustainability into innovation strategies, schools, colleges and trusts can develop new opportunities that differentiate their curriculum and resources. Supported by funding from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (tinyurl.com/yc4edh8e), a small number of schools and trusts have implemented transformative initiatives. For example, Windsor Academy Trust introduced energy-efficient solutions, including air source heat pumps, solar panels, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and heating controls, creating £209,900 estimated savings per annum. 

3: Sustainability can enhance school, college and trust brand image and reputation. In today’s world, parents and carers, staff, other stakeholders, and most importantly children and young people, are increasingly concerned about the societal and environmental impact of business operations. By demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, schools, colleges and trusts can improve brand perception and loyalty and attract new opportunities. 

4: Sustainability can help schools, colleges and trusts manage risk. Business leaders can identify and mitigate environmental, social and governance risks by considering sustainable practices such as:

• transitioning to or adding renewable and cleaner energy sources such as wind or solar
• reducing by more than 50% the amount of water used for hand washing and sewage conveyance by installing water-saving fittings
• creating green spaces – trees and plants are essential for cooling, biodiversity, oxygen production and natural air filtration, and well-designed green spaces play a critical role in providing safer routes for commuters and safer spaces for physical activities and play By doing so, schools, colleges and trusts can avoid potential environmental or social disasters that could harm their reputation, financial performance or lead to regulatory action. 

5: Sustainability can attract and retain talent. Employees are increasingly drawn to employers that promote high ethical standards and engage in sustainable practices. By demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, schools, colleges and trusts can attract and retain colleagues who seek to work for employers with a broader purpose. 

Business leaders can create substantial value for their setting by embracing sustainability and embedding it through every aspect of the organisation. By focusing on the long-term impact of their decisions, business leaders can identify sustainable practices that reduce costs, drive innovation, enhance brand reputation, manage risk, attract talent and access new opportunities. By doing so, business leaders create value that benefits their school, college or trust and its community while also contributing to a more sustainable future. The role of business leaders within sustainability is undeniably critical. 

Hayley Dunn
ASCL Business Leadership Specialist
@ShropshireSBM 

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