Green Gown Awards 2017 - University of Oxford - Highly Commended

The University of Oxford has reported on its environmental sustainability activity since 2013. Throughout this time the report’s tone, style and content have developed significantly in response to stakeholder feedback. 

The reports incorporate both summary and in-depth information; raw data is also provided to enable readers to carry out their own analysis. This three-tiered approach maintains accessibility whilst providing detailed information, meeting diverse stakeholder needs. Infographics are used to communicate complex information simply and accessibly; these can be extracted and shared via multiple communication channels. Many pages are standalone allowing use in presentations and social media. The document is designed to work on a range of electronic devices.

The report details the University’s sustainability statements, actions and plans, allowing readers to follow progress and get an indication of a project’s success (or not). This is key for students here on a short-term basis.

Top 3 learnings:

1 Our stakeholders value information on the role of individuals in supporting the sustainability agenda.

2 Greater accessibility and transparency of work improves relationships with all our stakeholders.

3 Providing different levels of detail ensures the report meets the diverse expectations of stakeholders.