Purpose
Why we are measuring change
Schools taking environmental action are making major changes to their surroundings and the practices that affect their environment. By measuring these changes they will know how far they have come on their sustainability journey and can set goals for the future.
By developing the Measuring Change tool the Enviroschools programme aims to:
- Recognise the commitment of enviroschools to sustainability by quantifying the physical difference that they are making to the environment
- Help schools to see how their changes contribute to the bigger picture, in their region, in New Zealand and globally
- Encourage more schools to reflect on and measure their change
- Quantify the physical benefits so that schools, communities, funders and national programme developers can see progress, and
- Highlight for funders and partners the physical environmental benefits of the Enviroschools programme.
Benefits to schools
Schools are all at different places on their sustainability journey and may be focusing on different areas of action.
No matter where your school is at on its journey, there is a range of benefits to Measuring Change that include:
- Observing actual change as a result of action taken, and managing your progress towards sustainability goals
- Identifying areas where you are doing really well and areas where improvements could be made
- Comparing and sharing what you are doing with other schools in your region and in New Zealand
- Using progress reports to acknowledge effort and celebrate achievements
- Using progress reports to help get support and sponsorship for projects.
Starting straight away will mean you get a full record of the progress that you make over the years.