Climate change and ecological destruction are some of the biggest challenges of our time. Colleges, like all institutions, have a responsibility to address them; and to meet the UK government’s target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
At Riverside College / Cronton Sixth Form College we have already taken many steps to improve our operations and are constantly looking for and embracing new ways to contribute to this in innovative ways.
The Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education was established in November 2019. Its goal is to develop a strategic, sector-wide approach to tackle the climate emergency. The Commission engaged Nous Group (a management consulting firm specialising in education) to support them to develop a ‘road map’ for further education colleges to reach the net-zero target.
As a College, we are working towards this by engaging with our staff, students, and other members of our college community to develop our own roadmap to net-zero.
- With support from the Department of Education’s Strategic Development Fund and key industry leaders, the College has developed and built a new Hydrogen Training Centre; a centre of national significance in green energy.
- Riverside College is introducing an innovative Green Curriculum at levels 3, 4 and 5, focused on upskilling, retraining, and education across a diverse spectrum of sustainable initiatives.
- Currently underway is the construction of a Green Technology Centre, situation at Kingsway.
- The College has developed new courses and enhanced its curriculum, whilst investing in technology and equipment to enable training on electric vehicles.
- All curriculum areas are sharing good practice and embedding sustainable practices in curriculum delivery.
- Achieving the relevant BREEAM requirements on refurbishment and new build projects. BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for building projects.
- New lighting, water-saving, air conditioning and heating technology has been installed in many areas of the College and continues to be installed as we upgrade each area.
- The College’s waste provider reported that the College has recycled or recovered 100% of its waste for the period August 2022 – September 2023.
- Technology changes include the introduction of more efficient computers, recycling of computers, energy-efficient whiteboards and TVs, all power supply units are ENERGY STAR compliant, and initiatives such as automated shutdown timers on all computers, and to reduce printing are in place.
- Our catering supplier and their supply chain have made significant changes to reduce their ‘food miles’ and they have worked with us to improve the sustainability of all aspects of their operation.
- Curriculum and business support areas have specific green projects such as allotments and recycling of materials for use.
- Covid-19 has been a huge factor in driving the use of technology to reduce paper use and travel; there has been approximately 40,000 Microsoft Teams Meetings that have taken place to date and many other working practices that have moved online.
For our sustainability reports and updates please click below to access our PDF documents: