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DfE’s Sustainability & Climate Change Strategy (hereafter referred to as the DfE Strategy) sets out four strategic aims which the college has adopted as part of the Sustainability Steering Group Board’s Terms of Reference. These are:
The DfE Strategy sets out the ‘challenge and opportunity’ that climate change presents with a particular focus on Education; Green skills & jobs; Learning from and connecting with nature; and (adapting existing and designing new) Buildings.
The DfE Strategy – its strategic aims; and the challenges and opportunities are echoed in the AoC’s recent ‘Green College Commitment’ report which highlights three priority areas for colleges:
These two reports provide a framework for policy and action. It is our intention to develop policy and plan activity that reflect the priorities and strategic aims set out in both reports and to use these as guiding principles for the way we build momentum.
Our report shows what we have done and where we're heading next on our Green Skills campus journey.
We're working to create sustainable campuses, save electricity and produce our own renewable energy.
We've got a range of Sustainability courses that your can study in-person or online.
We’re exploring ways of embedding green skills into curriculum areas, working working with diploma trainee teachers to explore embedding sustainability into curriculum, as well as developing sustainability themed observations.
We’ve launched a research Continuing Professional Development programme based on six UN sustainable
development goals.
The staff have signed up will be exploring how we embed sustainability into lesson plans and schemes of work.
Working with Aponic (a local SME from Sudbury) to develop a field to fork project involving the creation of a ‘vertical farm’. The project will involve students form the Culinary Arts Academy at West Suffolk College, and local grown organic greens and herbs will be on the Edmunds restaurant menu. Aponic will continue to provide support for the initiative as we move forward.
We’re also in the process of purchasing AR/VR Immersive technology and a Motion Systems package which will allows us to reach out to businesses across the region.
And we’re working with a range of other partners to help promote green skills in industry including Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club.
Eastern Education Group has established ‘The Go Green Network,’ which was launched to engage with businesses, creating a Go Green Business-Education Network that regularly convenes for short talks and focused sustainability brainstorming, As well as a hosting a digital Green Skills and Sustainability Forum.
Across Eastern Education Group, we are rolling out Carbon Literacy training across our colleges and providing Level 4 IEMA courses for specialist staff. This year, we have introduced all curriculum staff to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and now require these to be represented in lesson plans and schemes of work. We are enhancing our commitment to sustainability by embracing innovative approaches and leveraging online tools and cutting-edge technology, through initiatives such as our online student digital prospectus and state-of-the-art XR Lab.
To further drive our efforts, we have established a Sustainability Steering Group. The group reports quarterly to the Standards and Excellence Committee and annually to the Corporation Board, to which it is accountable. Having a dedicated steering group helps us better align with our sustainability goals and commitments, reducing our environmental footprint, and preparing our staff, students, and the wider community for a more sustainable future.
