Baseline Data

Provides key information against which future changes can be measured. Without this data, there is no reference point. If this element is missing, the school will be unable to track progress.

This part of the report will allow a school to collate and record the bechmark information about the important measures of sustainability. These measures look at the total energy (electricity and gas) use, water use, solid waste production, litter production, greenhouse gas emissions and the biodiversity at the school.

Resources Tips and Links

To complete this section, you will need to gather data from your gas, water, electricity, waste disposal and recycling invoices. In some cases, such as amounts of solid waste composted, you will have to make estimates. For litter, you may need to conduct a simple litter survey. The most accurate method for obtaining this data is to contact the energy or water supplier/waste contractor for your school, requesting a summary of your energy usage, water usage and waste production with total annual costs. This should take the supplier/contractor about two weeks to complete.