A green audit is a systematic analysis and reporting of the environmental diversity of an establishment and assesses the impacts of various components of the establishment on the environment. The idea behind a green audit is to ascertain and verify the environmental goals of any establishment.

The audit is performed by experienced professionals who inspect the spatial area of the institute and verify the data received. Auditing includes systematic identification, quantification, reporting, and optimization of components that can make the establishment eco-friendly and sustainable.

With rapid climate change, there is an urgent need to educate the youth on sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle practices. Conducting a green audit in an educational institution is one of the important ways of maintaining eco-friendly institutional environmental practices, as well as sensitizing young minds to live responsibly for the planet, as they are the flag bearers of tomorrow. The five reasons why a green audit is necessary for an educational institution include:

1. It improves the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) score

NAAC accreditation is compulsory for every higher learning institute. The accreditation determines the quality of education, infrastructure, research, and overall experience. Institutes are accredited via grades like A, A+, and A++, the latter being the highest.

A green audit can certainly improve an institute's NAAC score, making it more trusted and reputed.

2. It streamlines a campus's functioning

Audits not only verify and inspect the ongoing operations but also advise and provide an optimized plan on how to use the current resources efficiently. They report on the plantation area, and suggest improvements on the same, they also see if there is optimal utilization of resources (for example - no leaking taps, waste management, if there is segregation of waste, overall cleanliness of the surroundings, efficient use of energy etc.).  The audit analyses each department and determines the ones who are responsible for mismanagement, and provides suggestions for improvement. As a result, the operations are more streamlined and effective than before.

3. It saves money in the long term

A part of auditing involves identifying how the resources of the institution are being used. They also provide an alternative plan to utilize the resources efficiently. For instance, a green audit may identify water wastage, or a lack of recycling policy, eventually leading to a high-water bill. By providing a devised plan to conserve water and avoid wastage, the institute can reduce its water bill, and also protect water as a resource.

4. It identifies potential threats

Green audits identify the hazardous threats that might have been missed out by the institution's management. For example - during an electrical inspection, the audit may find some loose wires that can potentially cause a short circuit or a fire. There could also be functional errors leading to ineffectiveness. For example-  using too much of glass  in the building could result in overheating during summers, and eventually requiring more electricity for cooling, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions.

By eliminating such threats and functional errors in the building design, environmental audits make the campus safe and secure.

5. It raises awareness among the students

Sustainable and eco-friendly practices by an institute also help in educating the students on various environmental factors like energy and natural resource conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable lifestyle practices.  Practises like encouraging students  to use cycle can help fuel-saving, and also release fewer pollutants into the atmosphere.

Many institutions have implemented awareness programs on environmental issues like plastic and air pollution and have successfully brought a positive change to their campuses.

Educational institutions play a huge role in raising awareness and educating the youth on the alarming impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. Initiating a step towards helping the environment not only makes an institution respected but also makes the authorities and organization involved and aware in the process.