Carbon accounting made for higher education

Normative provides the accurate, auditable and SBTi-aligned carbon accounting that is critical in transitioning the higher education sector away from its over-reliance on spend-based methodology.

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HESCET puts higher education organizations at risk of greenwashing

Many organizations across the sector are relying too heavily on the spend-based methodology used by the likes of the Higher Education Supply Chain Emission (HESCET) tool in the UK. The result is an overly cautious approach to reporting, delivering inflated carbon emissions figures that are used to set targets. This leaves organizations open to greenwashing claims, even if unintentional, and makes it tough to measure the true impact of reduction initiatives.

Combine this over-reliance on the most basic form of emissions estimation with a HESCET tool that uses outdated emissions factors, and we’re left with a sector facing a huge challenge to get its carbon reporting audit-ready. It’s time to start the transition from spend-based carbon accounting in higher education to not only mitigate these risks, but tap into huge opportunities.

In numbers: higher education’s carbon accounting challenge

Inflated emissions figures driven by spend-based carbon accounting, outdated emissions factors and a limited quality of data are restricting sustainability initiatives in the sector and the associated organizational benefits. Here’s the proof:

≤30%

Potential discrepancy in carbon emissions calculations that could be caused by HESCET’s lack of inflation adjustment.

Based on Bank of England rate using the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

72%

Lower emissions calculated for a higher education organization by Normative than the HESCET tool.

Why higher education must move on from the HESCET methodology

330k

HESCET’s 300-400 Emission Factors don’t come near the extensive coverage that Normative’s 330,000+ delivers.

Normative’s carbon accounting platform

“In a recent engagement with a higher education organization, the carbon emissions calculations from Normative came in 72% lower than those conducted using the HESCET tool. Initially we were shocked that the emissions estimates differed to such a degree, so we had to dive into the data to understand why this was the case. When we looked deeper and assessed the HESCET methodology, it became clear that the calculations were not made using the latest or best data available. From our work with universities, we understand how important clarity and transparency of methodology is to them – it quickly became clear to us that HESCET couldn’t deliver on this count, whereas we know Normative can.”

Johnny McCreesh, Climate Strategy Team Lead at Normative

How Normative’s carbon accounting is tailored to higher education

Using the spend-based methodology is a good starting point for any organization on its carbon reporting journey, but reducing reliance on this approach is critical for the success and credibility of sustainability initiatives in higher education.

Normative’s carbon accounting platform and team of climate strategy experts are at the heart of driving this transition with our customers in the sector. The platform is fully auditable and transparent, aligned with industry reporting requirements, and our GHG-Protocol-certified Climate Strategy Advisors can guide organizations through the critical shift in methodology. It’s a powerful combination, proven to unlock opportunities for organizations looking to become sustainability leaders in their field and attract the best students, staff and funding. Here’s how Normative can help your organization.

Mature your data collection

Explore the full potential of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Collect activity, supplier and product-specific data – not just spend data – to stay competitive while reducing emissions.
Avoid greenwashing

Ensure your data is accurate, credible and fully transparent. Normative provides 330,000+ emissions factors across 16 databases, updated every 6 months.
HESA-ready reporting

Provide your data using existing Proc-HE codes and these will be mapped to Normative taxonomy. Standardized exports will enable structured reporting for 10 HESA meta-categories.

Insights

Why higher education must move on from HESCET

Read this insights post from our sector experts to uncover:

The reasons why the shift from HESCET is so critical to the success of sustainability efforts in the sector
How making the transition could get your organization audit-ready, help it steal a competitive edge and deliver real carbon emissions reductions.

Read the article

Carbon insights to empower decarbonization and mitigate greenwashing

Comprehensive carbon calculation
Expert support
Audit and compliance-ready