WEEAC
Alongside the government's strategy for sustainable schools, Eco schools has also been established, which is an award programme helping schools begin the journey towards being more environmentally friendly and carbon conscious. The scheme is designed to fit in with the National Framework and covers the eight areas listed by the government as target areas for change.
Creating an Eco School is about caring for the environment in which pupils study and the impact it has in terms of carbon emissions. Below is a more detailed explanation of the eight areas which schools now need to focus on in order to both educate and save energy, money and the planet.
Food & Drink
This is an area of school life constantly in the public eye and the government aim to move schools towards food which is prepared on site and which is sourced locally and ethically. Educating pupils about food and its effects on health and weight are also part of the focus. Schools can even grow and use food from their own grounds, encouraging pupils to understand that food is not grown on supermarket shelves but simply and easily in a low maintenance vegetable patch.
Energy & Water
With the global cost of oil continually rising, the price of energy needed to heat and cool schools is a major economic factor for many in education. Schools are encouraged to save energy and even install micro generation solutions to encourage self sufficiency. Water is also a consideration and the framework recommends schools look at ways to recycle or re-use water where possible and educate its pupils on how to conserve water.
Travel & Traffic
The “school run” has become a highly topical issue in the media and the government has tasked schools with reducing congestion around the gates, single use car trips and potential accident danger zones. Promoting safety and environmental awareness to pupils and parents is key to reducing one of the major contributions to carbon emissions.
Purchasing & Waste
Waste is one of the most prevalent problems in society today and schools are no exception. Waste can come from school operations and processes or from pupils who have not begun to think about recycling and the environment. From installing recycling bins to purchasing recycled products there are so many small but significant steps schools can take to encourage less waste at every level.
Buildings & Grounds
Many schools have extensive buildings and grounds to maintain but also the opportunity to develop areas which can be used for environmentally friendly projects, renewable energy and good educational areas to tell pupils about issues surrounding sustainability and climate change. Purchasing sustainable furniture and decoration sets a good example to pupils to adopt good practices for the future.
Inclusion & Participation
In order to achieve the eight steps in the sustainable schools programme, it is critical to involve pupils at every stage and provide an environment where new ideas can be implemented and actions taken which create a sense of community. Both teachers and pupils are encouraged to work together to create a sustainable environment which everyone is responsible for.
Local Well-being
A school is not a solitary entity but a building and place which interacts with the local community. The National Framework encourages schools to involve the local community in events and policies which will encourage unity in achieving sustainable goals both inside and outside of the school environment.
Global Dimension
Everything we do and buy is linked to people and places all over the world. In terms of production and supply, the world has become a much smaller place with many items we use in the UK being made overseas. Climate change has an effect on many millions of people around the world and schools are encouraged to raise awareness to pupils that even the smallest changes they make could have an impact in the global sphere.
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