Lifecycle: d
Assess yours and others sustainability performance
SMETA Audit
Type of Resource
Guidance website
Source
Sedex
What does it do?
Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) is an audit methodology, providing a compilation of best practice ethical audit techniques. It is designed to help auditors conduct high quality audits that encompass all aspects of responsible business practice, covering Sedex’s four pillars of Labour, Health and Safety, Environment and Business Ethics. SMETA can conduct audits remotely at low prices £50 - £200 but you can also access the SMETA offline audit tool, download all SMETA guidance documentation which includes best practice guidance and measurement criteria.
Why use it?
Gain an understanding of how to conduct best practice ethical and sustainable audits on your supply chain to deliver upon your sustainability targets.
Accessibility
Audit guideance documentation is fully accessible and free of charge.Further services are available if you become a member of SEDEX or pay for individual services, including gaining access to an offline audit tool.
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
Circulytics
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
What does it do?
Circularity measurement assessment tool for companies, uses the widest sets of indicators to provide a comprehensive view of sustainability performance. Users submit a mix of qualitative and quantitative data via a survey platform and then receive a bespoke company scorecard, which features a comprehensive breakdown of their results and an overall circularity score. The scorecard supports companies to identify opportunities for improvement.
Why use it?
Apply to conduct the Circulytics measurement assessment on your project to gain an overall view on sustainability performance and areas for improvement.
Accessibility
Required to enter the details of the person who will be responsible for reporting in your company into the sign-up form. If accepted, the reporter will receive a link to the Circulytics survey.
Target Audience
May need to be an individual who can identify themselves as able to report on behalf of the project.
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Pre-requisites to use
No pre-requisites but aims to align with other circular economy related initiatives, which are held in the ‘other tools’ section as they become available.
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Guide
Type of Resource
Guidance documentation
Source
European Commission Joint Research Centre
What does it do?
This refers to a methodology by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) which is based on Life Cycle Assessment methodology and is designed to conduct a measurement of the environmental performance of a good or service throughout its lifecycle, taking into account the full supply chain. The methodology is covered in a 160 page guidance document and aims to provide “a common way of measuring environmental performance” for companies within the EU wishing to market their product.
Why use it?
This methodology document provides the information necessary to conduct a PEF study and includes a comprehensive technical guidance. It is primarily aimed at technical experts who need to develop a PEF study, for example engineers and environmental managers.
Accessibility
Fully accessible
Target Audience
Technical / environmental experts
Difficulty Level
Advanced
Pre-requisites to use
NoneThere is also an adapted methodology for organisational performance titled 'Organisational Environmental Footprint' (OEF).
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
SmartWaste
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
Delivered by bre
What does it do?
Enter data on to an online platform to ascertain your project's environmental impacts, provide a breakdown of waste, highlight areas for improvement and savings (including time and money) and set new targets. The platform can run various reports at project, business unit or company level to compare performance against targets and BREEAM industry standards. Training also available via the website.
Why use it?
Ability to be able to create a baseline, set targets, track and provide improvement plans throughout your project's lifecycle. Can also gain a clear understanding of your anticipated waste.
Accessibility
Free demo available. Membership is renewed yearly. There are a number of membership levels available. Contact the SmartSite Team for quotes. Training also available.
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
Construction
How to access it
Rating
Global Value Exchange (GVE)
Type of Resource
Guidance website
Source
Social Value UK
What does it do?
The Global Value Exchange (GVE) is an online platform that allows users to set up their own projects, start to monitor the social value they are creating, and helps them manage and maximise their social value. There are 3 main resources available:
browseGVE: Allows you to search over 30,000 social impact measurement metrics.
myGVE: an interactive project layer where you can enter details about your project to receive information about ways to measure and value your outcomes.
myGVEportfolio: manage the social value of multiple projects by creating a portfolio with a shared outcome framework.
There are various Guidance documents on the above tools available to download.
browseGVE: Allows you to search over 30,000 social impact measurement metrics.
myGVE: an interactive project layer where you can enter details about your project to receive information about ways to measure and value your outcomes.
myGVEportfolio: manage the social value of multiple projects by creating a portfolio with a shared outcome framework.
There are various Guidance documents on the above tools available to download.
Why use it?
Platform to track the social value performance of an individual project or a portfolio of projects.
Accessibility
Can create a free individual account. Portfolio accounts are charged for set up and development (£0-£3k+VAT) and then on an annual basis (£600-£900).
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) tool
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
What does it do?
Assessment tool for companies to improve product design and material procurement. The user inputs material operational data into the tool to analyse and evaluate a range of environmental, regulatory and supply chain risks for designs and products. This web-based tool will provide an organisation with the means to track their progress and ensure that their products fit within a circular economy based business model. The website has toolkit and methodology documentation available including a Project Overview: An Approach to Measuring Circularity which is dedicated to using the tool in a project setting.
Why use it?
Use data measurement tooling to improve the design process of your project.
Accessibility
Fully accessible
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
Position Database and Next Generation Governance Guide
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
Embedding project in collaboration with WBSCD
What does it do?
A public database that contains sustainable positions taken by over 100 large global companies. User friendly interface that allows you to search for positions by issue, company, sector and includes current and past positions. The resource also includes a guidebook to help you articulate a concise and transparent board level position on key environmental, social and governance issues.
Why use it?
Reviewing other company's positions will provide a useful context to be able to set a top level position from which your project benefits can flow. If required, the contextual knowledge provided along with the guidance materials can also support you to articulate a board level or public position for your project.
Accessibility
Fully accessible
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Beginner
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
SDG Action Manager
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
UN Global Compact in collaboration with B Lab
What does it do?
New impact management solution tool that guides users through an easy to follow self-assessment process to set clear goals on the SDGs, benchmark against industry standards, continue to track progress and identify improvement areas. In addition, the tool provides access to a curated portfolio of tools, guidance material and resources.
Why use it?
Question led self-assessment to support users to establish the right SDG priorities for their project. The tool then generates visually appealing performance dashboards and reports.
Accessibility
Fully accessible.Required to use the following supported browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera and Edge
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Beginner
Pre-requisites to use
Undertake the ‘Managing Corporate Sustainability Performance Through the New SDG Action Manager’ training module. Access via the UN Global Compact academy at https://academy.unglobalcompact.org.
Sector
All
How to access it
Rating
Contextual Goals Database
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
Embedding project in collaboration with WBSCD
What does it do?
A public goals database containing leading sustainability goals and commitments set by over 100 large global companies. User friendly interface that allows you to search for company sustainability goals and targets by company, SDG, Sector or Goal Status.
Why use it?
Reviewing other companies goals and commitments will give you an excellent context to establish the right sustainable target benefits for your own project. In addition, provides further insight into the 17 SDG goals and how other companies have interpreted them into their own goals, targets and projects.
Accessibility
Fully accessible
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Beginner
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
All