Institutional Maturity Continuum

GREEN LEAF Curriculum Greening Benchmarking Tool

The GREEN LEAF Curriculum Greening Benchmarking Tool is designed to help higher education institutions evaluate their current level of sustainability integration and identify priorities for future development. The tool supports reflection, institutional dialogue, strategic planning, and continuous improvement rather than compliance-based evaluation.

3 Pillars 11 Dimensions 55 Benchmark Statements Visual Maturity Report
Start the Assessment

About the tool

A reflective benchmark, not a compliance audit

The benchmarking framework aligns with the GREEN LEAF model and its three interconnected pillars: Learning, Engagement, and Action. It also reflects principles found in international sustainability education frameworks, including whole-institution approaches, sustainability competence development, participatory governance, and transformative learning.

Who it’s for

The tool may be used by:

  • Programme teams
  • Departments or faculties
  • Curriculum committees
  • Institutional leadership teams
  • Accreditation and quality assurance bodies
  • Sustainability offices or green offices
  • Project consortia and networks
How to rate each statement

Use the 0–4 scale below for every benchmark statement.

0
Not present
1
Emerging
2
Partial
3
Systematic
4
Embedded
Supporting evidence

Institutions are encouraged to support scoring through:

  • Curriculum documentation
  • Course outlines
  • Strategic plans
  • Assessment examples
  • Partnership records
  • Governance documents
  • Stakeholder feedback
  • Monitoring and evaluation evidence

Run the Assessment

Benchmark your institution

Complete the three pillars below. You can move freely between them — your responses will be summarised in a visual maturity report on this page.

Benchmark Statements

Rate each statement on the 0–4 scale. Switch between pillars using the tabs.

0 / 0 answered 0%
A1
Sustainability Learning Outcomes
Sustainability-related learning outcomes are explicitly defined at programme level
Learning outcomes include knowledge, skills, values, and agency dimensions
Sustainability outcomes are aligned with recognized competence frameworks (e.g., GreenComp)
Systems thinking is integrated into learning outcomes
Ethical, justice-oriented, and futures-oriented dimensions are included
A2
Curriculum Integration
Sustainability themes are integrated across multiple courses
Curriculum mapping has been conducted to identify sustainability entry points
Sustainability is integrated interdisciplinarily rather than confined to isolated modules
Local and global sustainability challenges are reflected in course content
Sustainability integration exists across compulsory, not only elective, courses
A3
Pedagogy and Learning Design
Experiential learning approaches are used
Problem-based or challenge-based learning is integrated
Community-based or place-based learning opportunities exist
Students engage with real-world sustainability challenges
Reflection and critical dialogue are embedded in learning activities
A4
Assessment Alignment
Assessment methods evaluate sustainability competences, not only content recall
Collaborative and action-oriented learning is assessed
Reflective assessment methods are used
Assessment aligns with sustainability learning outcomes
Students receive feedback related to sustainability competences and impact
B1
Faculty Development
Faculty development opportunities related to sustainability are available
Educators receive pedagogical support for curriculum greening
Sustainability-related peer learning communities exist
Sustainability teaching is recognized or incentivized institutionally
Faculty members collaborate across disciplines on sustainability initiatives
B2
Stakeholder Partnerships
Partnerships with NGOs, municipalities, or industry support learning activities
External stakeholders contribute to curriculum design or implementation
Community-based sustainability projects are integrated into programmes
Students interact with practitioners and community actors
Partnerships contribute to long-term sustainability learning ecosystems
B3
Student Engagement and Agency
Students participate actively in sustainability initiatives
Students are involved in decision-making or co-creation processes
Green ambassador or student sustainability networks exist
Sustainability leadership opportunities are available to students
Student-led sustainability projects are institutionally supported
B4
Institutional Collaboration Ecosystem
Sustainability initiatives are coordinated across departments or faculties
Cross-institutional collaboration mechanisms exist
Sustainability communities of practice are active
Institutional communication supports sustainability engagement
External and internal stakeholders collaborate regularly
C1
Governance and Institutional Alignment
Sustainability is embedded within institutional strategy
Curriculum greening is connected to governance structures
Leadership actively supports sustainability integration
Sustainability responsibilities are clearly distributed institutionally
Sustainability is included within quality assurance processes
C2
Monitoring and Evaluation
Sustainability indicators are defined at programme or institutional level
Curriculum greening progress is monitored regularly
Feedback from students and stakeholders is collected systematically
Evaluation results inform curriculum improvement
Sustainability impact reporting mechanisms exist
C3
Institutional Culture and Practice
Sustainability is visible within institutional culture and communication
Campus operations support sustainability learning
Sustainability initiatives extend beyond curriculum into institutional life
The institution models sustainable practices consistently
Long-term sustainability transformation is treated as a strategic priority
Tip: you don’t have to answer in order — but every statement must be scored before submitting.
GREEN LEAF
Learning · Engagement · Action

Institutional Maturity Continuum

Assessment Results

Based on the GREEN LEAF Institutional Greening Questionnaire
Institution: —
Date of Assessment: —
Respondents: —
Overall Maturity Stage
—
—
—
0.0 out of 4
Maturity by Dimension
Institutional Maturity Continuum
5
5 – TRANSFORMATIVE

Sustainability is embedded in all policies, practices and culture. Continuous innovation and systemic impact.

4
4 – ADVANCING

Strong integration of sustainability across the institution. Systems and partnerships are well established.

3
3 – DEVELOPING

Sustainability initiatives are implemented with coordination. Systems and strategies are emerging.

2
2 – EMERGING

Early-stage initiatives and awareness. Limited integration and coordination.

1
1 – INITIAL

Minimal activity. Sustainability is not yet a strategic priority.

Score Interpretation
3.20 – 4.00 Transformative
2.40 – 3.19 Advancing
1.60 – 2.39 Developing
0.80 – 1.59 Emerging
0.00 – 0.79 Initial
0.0 / 4
—
Key Strengths
    Key Gaps
      Priority Next Steps
        Your institution’s position on the continuum
        0.0
        1 – INITIAL Getting started
        2 – EMERGING Aware & beginning
        3 – DEVELOPING Building & integrating
        4 – ADVANCING Systemic & coordinated
        5 – TRANSFORMATIVE Leading & innovating
        The GREEN LEAF Institutional Maturity Continuum helps institutions identify strengths, address gaps and plan strategic actions to embed sustainability in teaching, learning and institutional life. GREEN LEAF · Learning · Engagement · Action

        Address

        123 Street, New York, USA

        +012 345 67890

        info@example.com

        Quick Link

        The LEAF Guidebook Digital Catalogue of Best Practices Ambassador Toolkit Institutional Action Plans

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