As universities and education providers strive to move towards net-zero carbon emissions, there is a need for specialist consultancy to support them to meet their objectives and receive maximum impact for their efforts. This partnership will enable EAUC to deliver specialist sustainability support through SUMS’ recognised expert consulting and procurement divisions, giving members and clients of both organisations direct access to the expertise they need.
EAUC will provide SUMS members and clients with access to expert practitioners in key facets of sustainability such as:
- Leadership, staff and governance
- Estates, community and operations
- Partnerships, society and engagement
- Learning, research and student engagement
Support in these areas will help SUMS’ members and clients meet the increasing, and justified, calls-to-action coming from staff, students and wider communities, with authenticity and impact.
The partnership will also develop the next iteration of the sector-recognised Procurement Maturity Assessment (PMA+), with an expanded focus on the existing corporate and social responsibility question set focused on sustainability. This will cover responsible procurement (including the use of SMEs and local companies in the supply chain); equality, diversity and inclusion; and modern slavery.
“EAUC is delighted to be partnering with SUMS to bring the sector’s expertise on sustainability to the forefront and help institutions take strategic and practical action and leadership in the climate crisis. Students and staff expect to see their universities and colleges tackling the challenges and embracing the opportunities now before us. This partnership will provide the guidance and support institutions urgently need.” says Iain Patton, CEO, EAUC
About SUMS SUMS works for universities and is owned by universities. We are a not-for-profit charity and membership organisation providing expert consultancy and procurement support to the FE and HE Sectors, both in the UK and globally. Through our three divisions – SUMS Consulting, Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC) and the Procurement Shared Service (PSS) – we help make universities and colleges smarter.
About EAUC EAUC is the alliance for sustainability leadership in education. Our passion is to create a world with sustainability at its heart and to lead and empower the post-16 education sector to make sustainability ‘just good business’.
For any enquiries, please contact:
Marion Hutchins Head of Marketing and Communications SUMS m.l.hutchins@reading.ac.uk +44 118 378 4292