Turning Green Ambition into Measurable Action in Further Education

This week it is the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) National Green Week, giving the education sector an opportunity to reflect on progress, showcase action, be inspired by others, and accelerate meaningful change in response to the climate crisis.

Colleges in the U.K. play a key role, not only in delivering skills for the economy, but in shaping attitudes, behaviours, and capabilities of future workforces. As sustainability and climate action become increasingly embedded across policy, industry, and community expectations, the education sector is evolving to meet this challenge head on.

The U.K. Government’s wider commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 continues to set the direction of travel for all public sector organisations. Within this, education settings remain significant contributors to carbon emissions through estate operations, energy consumption, procurement, and transport. As such, colleges are uniquely positioned to drive both operational reductions and cultural change at scale.

Initiatives such as Colleges National Green Week provide an important focal point for activity. Green Week encourages colleges to highlight sustainability achievements, engage learners and staff in climate action, and strengthen collaboration across the sector. Importantly, it also supports the shift from isolated initiatives towards long-term, embedded environmental strategies.

In the region

A key priority for many institutions is the transition from ambition to implementation. While sustainability commitments are now widespread, the challenge often lies in translating targets into structured, measurable action. This includes establishing clear governance, assigning responsibility through sustainability leads or working groups, and developing robust climate action plans aligned with institutional priorities.

Genee delivers the nationally recognised environmental accreditation scheme, Investors in the Environment (iiE), a staged approach to environmental management which supports organisations wherever they are in their environmental journey. The framework provides the tools, templates and training to support organisations to develop their policies, data collection, internal and external communications, waste and travel management, and build a carbon picture for the organisation.

Two of our further education members, Gateshead College and Education Training Collective (ETC), are using the framework not only to drive reductions, but also to engage their staff and students in the sustainability agenda and embed this into their culture at the college.

Rachel Leech is the Sustainability Lead at Gateshead College, and is using the iiE member benefit, the Stickerbook platform, to engage and educate staff: “to celebrate National Colleges’ Green Week, we’re running a staff challenge on Stickerbook. Staff can collect stickers by completing micro e-learning on the platform and the staff member with the most stickers will win a voucher. Stickerbook is a fab tool we get through our iiE membership, and a great example of how we’re building sustainability into what we do. It supports bite-sized CPD, sparks conversations, and helps staff link sustainability to teaching, day to day decisions and wider college life.”

Erika Marshall, Director of Marketing and Business Engagement at ETC, commented on their achievement of Green Accreditation for the third year running, “this status is recognition of our ongoing commitment to play our part in tackling the challenges of climate change. It means looking at the way we do things and seeing where we can do better. And while there is no magic solution, even small changes can have a big impact when enough people get involved.”

The iiE framework is a practical tool to help an organisation take stock of where they are, understand their impact, and put clear plans in place to improve – turning values into action. In many cases, energy demand remains one of the most significant contributors to emissions within the further education estate. Improving building efficiency, optimising heating and lighting systems, and exploring renewable energy opportunities can all play a role in reducing both environmental impact and operational costs. These measures not only support Net Zero goals but also strengthen financial resilience in a period of increasing cost pressures.

However, sustainability in education is not solely about infrastructure and operations. Colleges also have a powerful role to play in embedding climate education across curricula and creating opportunities for learners to engage with sustainability in practical, meaningful ways. From technical courses to academic pathways, there is growing potential to integrate green skills and climate awareness at every level.

Colleges’ National Green Week

Gateshead College and Education Training Collective are excellent examples of Colleges’ National Green Week key messages: to lead the way in sustainable practice and supporting students to embrace sustainability and prepare them for the future green economy; and be key partners in local and regional strategies working towards net zero.

Engagement is an essential element of effective sustainability practice. Staff and students are more likely to support and contribute to climate initiatives when they are actively involved in shaping them. Awareness campaigns, student-led projects, sustainability forums, and cross-campus challenges can all help to build a shared sense of ownership and momentum.

Communication also plays a vital role in sustaining progress. Sharing achievements, reporting transparently on targets, and celebrating milestones helps to maintain engagement and accountability. It also reinforces the message that sustainability is not a standalone initiative, but a core institutional priority integrated into everyday decision-making.

Events such as Green Week provide an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, but also to consider what more can be done. This includes strengthening collaboration between institutions, sharing resources and learning, and ensuring that sustainability remains a consistent strategic priority rather than a cyclical focus.

Green Week serves as a reminder of both the progress made and the work still to do, reinforcing the importance of sustained commitment across every level of the sector.