The iAM Sustainability 101 Guide

B I L A I T N I Y A T 1 0 S U 1 S A C T IO N U D E IN

Sustainability Lead

The race for those in the education sector working towards all schools being Net Zero has begun. We want to help those in the sector by silencing the noise and providing the most important details.

What’s inside? iAM Compliant’s mission has always been to simplify everything around the topic of compliance and estates management. With the recent news from the Department of Education to continually ensure sustainability is a key focus for schools, we want to do the same by breaking it down into ‘real world language’ (as we like to say!)

What does sustainability mean?

Why is sustainability such a priority for schools?

Breaking down the sustainability jargon Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Energy Efficiency Sustainable Transportation Sustainable Classroom Practices Conserve Water Educate and Inspire Community Engagement Lead by Example School Calendar - Getting you Started in 2025

What does sustainability mean?

Sustainability is the concept that humans must use earth’s resources in a way that satisfies the needs of today while leaving resources for future generations.

Why is sustainability such a priority for schools?

The UK government has set ambitious targets to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim target of a 78% reduction by 2030. While not specifically focused on schools and MATs, these targets have implications for the education sector as highlighted by the DfE below.

A key initiative of DfE’s sustainability and climate change strategy for education is ‘sustainability leadership and climate action plans’. The strategy states: “By 2025, all education settings will have nominated a sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan.” This includes early years settings, schools, multiacademy trusts, colleges, and universities. The longer-term goal

is to demonstrate how schools and MATs are continually working towards being Net Zero which includes physical changes but also behavioural.

One of the significant challenges in achieving carbon neutrality for schools and MATs is the need to reduce their carbon footprints while providing high-quality education and welfare for staff and students.

Physical Changes

Net Zero

Behavioural Changes

Breaking down the sustainability jargon

GHG e s u o h n e Gre Gasses

Gasses in the earth's atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to global warming and climate change.

Examples of GHG are: • Carbon dioxide (CO2).

• Methane (CH4).

• Nitrous oxide (N2O).

• Ozone (O3).

• Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases).

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A metric used to compare emissions of various greenhouse gasses.

s e n n o T CO2 t n e l a v i Equ

Each different GHG has a different impact, so they are generally compared to CO2, hence CO2e.

Breaking down the sustainability jargon

Carbon t n i r p t o Fo g n i t r o p Re

The way of cou nting the GHGs a compa ny produces.

There are a nu mber of standards that can be followed, and a lso different levels of data q uality which can lead to the report being recognis ed by organisations a t different levels. Scope 1, 2 & 3.

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Scope 1

d by a GHGs that are produce it company from sources owns or controls. are: Some examples of this g.

• Burning fuel for heatin

pany • Emissions from the com not fleet of vehicles (that are electric). tric • Business travel (not elec vehicles).

Breaking down the sustainability jargon 2 e p o c S

GHGs that are produced on-site, but used by a company Some examples of this are: • Electricity usage.

• Heating not produced on-site.

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Scope 3

GHGs that are indirectly used by a company. They are often the largest part of a company’s Carbon footprint.

These are the hardest to gather the data for.

Some examples of this are: Upstream • The production and transport of materials and components.

• Waste generation.

Downstream • Logistics, use and disposal of products.

• Investments and franchises.

Breaking down the sustainability jargon

SECR

Streamlined Energ y Carbon Reporting This is a legal respo nsibility for some schools an d MATs. They have to write a report and input it into th eir annual accounts. The repo rt is structured in that in cludes carbon equivalent d ata over the reporting year a nd the previous year and c ompares the changes.

This is a smaller vers ion of a full Carbon Footprin t report.

It just includes scop e 1 + 2.

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Climate Action Plan

CAP

A CAP is a detailed plan that outlines how a setting can work towards sustainability and climate education and every school must have one in 2025.

Climate action plans can come in many forms. CAPS can be broken down into the following topics • Decarbonisation • Adaptation and resilience • Biodiversity • Climate education

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Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Minimise waste by using digital resources instead of paper.

Use durable, reusable items instead of disposable ones.

Encourage double-sided printing and copying.

For example, use refillable pens, reusable water bottles, and washable dishes.

Set up recycling bins in classrooms and educate students on what can be recycled. Participate in recycling programs for electronics and batteries.

Energy Efficiency Lights Turn off lights when not in use.

Use natural light whenever possible.

Electronics Turn off computers, monitors, and other electronic devices when they’re not in use.

Enable power-saving settings.

Heating & Cooling Set thermostats to energysaving temperatures and dress appropriately for the season.

Sustainable Transportation School Buses Support the use of fuel-efficient or electric school buses.

Public Transport Promote the use of public transportation or car sharing.

Walk or Bike Encourage students, parents and staff to take the walk or bike to school.

Sustainable Classroom Practices Classroom Projects

Eco-friendly Supplies

Incorporate sustainability projects, like creating a school garden, into the curriculum.

Use non-toxic, sustainable school supplies. Opt for recycled paper and ecofriendly markers.

School Trips Plan visits to local farms, recycling centers, or nature reserves to teach students about sustainability in action or invite an expert in to do a talk.

Conserve Water

Fix Leaks

Mindful Usage

Report and fix any leaks in school plumbing promptly.

Encourage students to turn off taps tightly and use water-saving practices.

Rainwater Harvesting Implement rainwater harvesting systems for school gardens.

Educate and Inspire Sustainability Curriculum Integrate sustainability topics into various subjects. Discuss climate change, renewable energy, and conservation.

Clubs and Groups Start or support eco-clubs where students can engage in sustainability projects and advocacy.

Access to Online Training Invest in a external provider for CPD school specific content focused on the topic of sustainability to help have another voice.

Community Engagement Collaborate

Events

Work with local environmental organisations and community groups.

Organise events like clean-up after school clubs, tree planting, or sustainability fairs.

Sustainability Lead

Awareness Campaigns Run campaigns to raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainable living practices.

Lead by Example Personal Practices Model sustainable behaviours in your daily life. Use reusable bags, avoid single-use plastics, and practice energy conservation at home.

Professional Development

Most Effective Softwares

Stay informed about sustainability issues and best practices through workshops and training.

Take time to research into online tools that you could invest in that may have a monthly cost but could solve a lot of your challenges.

School Calendar

01

January

February

02

World Nest Box Week

RSPB Big Schools Bird Watch

Fairtrade Fortnight

Continue to feed birds over winter months

Great time to sow herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage and chives Good time to put up bat boxes before bats come out of hibernation

April

04

Good time to sow wildflower seeds

Bird nesting season

May

05

Soil Association Worm Hunt

March

03

Earth Hour the last Saturday of March Earth Hour is an annual environmental campaign that brings attention to the effects of climate change by asking people to switch off lights at homes and businesses for an hour at 8.30 pm Sow/plant vegetables like carrots, courgettes and potatoes Keep an eye out for spring flowers in bloom

June

06

Outdoor Classroom Day The Great Bug Hunt

How to find a worm

Walk to School Week Plant summer crops such as lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries Good time to identify tree leaves

B I L A I T N I Y A T 1 0 S U 1 S EDUCATION IN

Sustainability Lead

We hope your journey to being iAM Sustainable is made that bit easier with this guide.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team then click HERE. To find out more about sustainability, click HERE and see how iAM Compliant can help.