Have you heard of the term green audit? Anyone who hears the term green audit for the first time can develop an overview of the process. Here, green refers to the environment, and the audit process helps in developing a sustainable ecosystem. The not-so-obvious part is the applicability of this audit process. It is a specialized audit structure that aims at universities and colleges to develop a sustainable ecosystem.

Simply put, it is an excellent tool for universities and colleges across the nation to develop a campus that is competent for the students, teachers, and everyone associated with it. It goes beyond academic performance and includes every aspect that matters in creating a sustainable ecosystem. In India, complying with the green audit norms or standard is critical for colleges to get an extra point in the NAAC accreditation and grading process. 

Understanding Green Audit in-depth

Green Audit is a step-by-step reviewing process that helps in the systematic identification, quantification, analysis, and reporting of the critical aspects that matter in the environmental assessment of a site. It analyzes and determines the ideal environmental practices inside the concerned sites. In short, it is impactful for developing an eco-friendly ambiance.

Environmental sustainability is a growing concern throughout the country. Especially in colleges and universities where young minds dwell, ensuring an ecosystem with endurable qualities is the need of the hour. The green influence on the campus is vital to guarantee the best learning environment and healthy ecosystem for everyone associated with the site.

About the NAAC accreditation process

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was introduced by the University Grants Commission or UGC in September 1994. NAAC was established in Bangalore for reviewing the performance and operational quality of Indian universities and colleges.

The NAAC accreditation is compulsory for all learning institutes in the country. The grade given by NAAC is crucial for state universities to operate optimally and maintain their reputation. The NAAC accreditation helps a university to apply for and obtain UGC grants, RUSA grants, financial donations, etc. However, there is more to the NAAC accreditation that relates it to the green audit. 

The link between Green audit and NAAC accreditation

• The NAAC accreditation regulates and defines the performance and quality of the educational institution. The NAAC grade exhibit the quality of education, learning infrastructure, research facilities, etc. The Green Audit is associated with the 7th criterion of NAAC.

• A green audit is critical for a college in determining the best grades from the National Assessment and Accreditation. The audit reports exhibit the practical ways through which colleges and universities are consuming natural resources and energy. The reports determine whether the educational campus is exploiting the various natural resources. 

• Having the best reports with the green audit ensures the environmental sustainability of the campus. It determines the greenery quotient on the campus and covers other influential environmental aspects. It includes the consumption and management of energy resources and environmental components. 

Green audit for universities and organizations – The right approach

In the current situation, it is mandatory for all Higher Educational Institutions to deliver the yearly Green Audit Report. In fact, it also links to the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Universities, marking their conscious contribution towards the betterment of the ecosystem. It also mitigates the risks of Carbon Footprint and encourages the enforcement of new and improved management steps.

• Self-assessment – It allows the universities and colleges to review the ideal steps and implement them for the campus. The audit assists in self-assessment and the decision-making process.
• Awareness – It develops awareness among everyone associated with the campus with conscious and consistent efforts.
• Improved scopes – By complying with the norms, universities can ensure higher scopes of getting the best grade from NAAC. It is vital to follow the systematic way and implement the best steps for green audits on the campus under professional guidance. 

The role of the report – Based on the audit reports, the college can make the best strategies to make the campus ideal for students, teachers, and anyone associated. It also helps the college acknowledge the wastage volume and consider different recycling projects for developing a sustainable ecosystem for the learners. Simply put, it is a way to minimize wastage and create a more suitable place for learning with improved NAAC grades. A free AI writing generator that can be used to create a report is Paper Typer. It can make different kinds of writing and adjust to what you specialize in. You can use it to make things like descriptions for products, articles for blogs or even essays.

Objectives of the audit – How is it beneficial for the institution?

1. The primary goal of the green audit is to secure the best practices for environmental sustainability.
2. It reduces the possibilities of health hazards and threats for the students on the learning campus.
3. There are several norms and standards in the environmental management system, and the green audit helps you conform to the norms.
4. The audit also helps identify the ideal protocols that develop a sustainable ecosystem on the campus.
5. The different steps under the green audit consist of – Water audit, waste disposal audit, energy audit, health, and environmental quality audit, etc. 
6. With the green audit reports, the universities can also recognize cost-effective methods for waste management.
7. It allows universities and colleges to set and promote an enhanced learning ecosystem and obtain the top grade.
8. Lastly, it helps in portraying a credible branding of the educational institution.

Recognize the needs and undergo a professional green audit

Many get confused with the framework of ISO 14001 standard with the green audit. It is part of the environmental management system, and there are multiple aspects common between green audits and ISO 14001 standards. The ISO 14001 standard is crucial for corporate companies, and on the other hand, a green audit is critical for colleges and universities to earn better grades from the NAAC accreditation. 

If you are a chairperson or principal of a college or a university, you need to find a credible solution for undergoing the annual green audit for your academic campus. The above information demonstrates the needs and ideal ways for conducting the audit. IRQS can bring quality service and conduct a green audit to secure a systematic approach with a proficient team.