Nous Group and the Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education have launched the Climate Action Roadmap for Further Education Colleges, a landmark document that offers clear, feasible and cost-effective actions colleges can take to enhance their sustainability.

The Climate Commission, which comprises UK education sector bodies, engaged Nous to develop a roadmap for how further education colleges can respond to the climate emergency.

The roadmap, which draws on input from the Climate Commission, was tested with UK college principals, who welcomed the roadmap as a critical tool for colleges at all stages of their sustainability journey.

Simon Lancaster, the head of Nous Group’s UK office, said he was delighted to launch the roadmap.

“It has been a pleasure to shape the roadmap and to work with the Climate Commission on this critical initiative, as well as to see first-hand the enthusiasm for and commitment to environmental action across the sector,” he said.

Steve Frampton MBE, President of the Association of Colleges and the college sector Climate Commissioner, said the roadmap was constructed by the sector, for the sector.

“Huge thanks to the principals and students who helped create this,” he said. “It will be an incredibly useful and practical guide for principals, leaders, governors and students to aid progress on this important agenda. I look forward to seeing the sector develop their ideas on what is one of the most crucial pieces of work for the future.” (Further comments from Steve Frampton are in the video.)

“Responding to the climate crisis will take dedication and requires activity, change and action in teaching, research, buildings and infrastructure along with community cohesion and revisiting partnerships and suppliers,” he said. “This blueprint covers all that and more. It is the ideal document for all colleges, whether they are further along the road in working towards net zero emissions or just starting out.”

On 16 July, the Climate Commission is hosting a student-led discussion to launch the roadmap to students and the further education sector.

Nous will draw on the insights gathered from the Climate Commission, and further education students and leaders, to inform its ongoing work advising colleges and universities on how to become more sustainable and tackle the climate emergency.
Get in touch for more information on how Nous Group can help organisations to deliver their sustainability agenda.

Published on 8 July 2020.