IMPACT Environment Action Report Issue 3
Welcome to our latest annual environmental report which shares the positive steps that the Caterham School community has undertaken to improve our impact on our local, national and global environment. This weekend world leaders will convene in Sharm El Sheik for COP27 to review the progress made since the Paris agreements of 2015 and Glasgow last year. As the spotlight inevitably turns to big decisions made globally to help solve arguably the most important challenge to face us all, it is important to remember that each and every action we take as individuals also has impact on our environment. Given the current geo-political context and the resultant challenges all global economies are facing at present there is a much greater awareness of the link between the environmental and economic imperative for action. At an international, national, corporate and individual level our awareness of and responsibility for the environment needs to be central to the conversations we are having. The worst thing we can do now is assume that the tough decisions and actions will be taken by someone else, somewhere else. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the extent of the challenge ahead of us. However, this is a time for hope and positive action (tinged with reality of course). Humankind has the power to be destructive but also to solve problems though creativity and collaboration. Schools have a key role to play in encouraging the next generation to ask the hard questions, to challenge complacency and to help inspire future experts and academics. Working with young people it is hard
not to be optimistic. It is vital that we work with optimism together to change behaviour and unlock solutions. We must never forget how powerful we are individually, and as a community. At Caterham we take our impact on the environment seriously at every level, from inspiring and supporting our pupils, from the youngest to the oldest, to engaging and embracing the expertise and advice of our parents and alumni, to ensuring that the leadership team and Board of Trustees evaluate and improve our impact annually in the same way we measure other indices of success.
Our individual and collective actions, our care of our environment and our community, can and do make a difference to our future.
Yours sincerely,
Ceri Jones Headmaster
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