Our Sustainability Strategy (2022 – 2027)
“Climate change and ecological destruction are some of the biggest challenges of our time. Colleges, like all institutions, have a responsibility to address them; and to meet the UK Government’s target to reach net zero emissions” (Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education, 2020)
Thie Sustainability Strategy recognises the unique opportunity and enhanced responsibility that Plumpton College’s land-based status brings to meeting these challenges.
It directly supports the delivery of the college’s new strategic plan and is closely aligned with the following:
OUR VISION - OUR PLACE - OUR PURPOSE
The college will achieve this strategy through the following objectives:
Objective 1
To ensure that all areas of our educational provision prepare students for green career pathways and are aligned to the adaptations taking place within existing landbased sector industries in response to climate change.
Achieved by:
- Refine the college’s understanding of green career opportunities within the landbased sector as part of our employer engagement strategy.
- The development of new short, part time and full time courses in relation to land, ecology and environmental science.
- The adaptation of existing curriculum to enhance and solidify links to sustainability through core subject matter and sustainability issues specific to that sector.
Objective 2
To derive maximum ecological and educational benefit from the college estate through sustainable land management.
Achieved by:
- The adoption of a new strategy for Lambert Farm as a clear direction amidst considerations such as regenerative agricultural practices, organic conversion and methane sequestration.
- The implementation of an ecological strategy and supporting survey framework across the college estate to facilitate monitoring and performance reporting.
- Renew woodland management plans to link with wider planting schemes and wildlife corridors.
Objective 3
To build the knowledge, understanding and engagement of staff and students to enable them to make meaningful contributions to personal and college sustainability performance targets.
Achieved by:
- Utilising the group tutorial programme for students to embed professional and moral responsibilities relating to sustainable practices.
- The embedding of an active Sustainability Committee which leads on feedback, awareness and behaviour changes related to sustainability and visible engagement activities for all college users without exclusion or barriers to access.
- The inclusion of sustainable practice and culture as a key judgement of performance within SARs, team meetings and 1:1’s.
- Upskilling a core group of staff to accurately monitor, record and report consumption and emissions data.
Objective 4
To demonstrate the economic feasibility of sustainable practice through efficiency, procurement integrity and adaptability to changing financial incentives.
Achieved by:
- Publicising the return on investment appraisals for college expenditure in sustainability initiatives.
- Working only with suppliers who share our sustainable goals.
- Mapping the college estate in respect to it’s investment potential in carbon offsetting and implementing schemes without compromising our farming strategy.
- Bringing to life the college’s adoption of new land management schemes as a way of responding to the tapering of the Basic Payment System.
Objective 5
To support the development and maintenance of increasingly high performing buildings, facilities and resources in respect to their environmental sustainability.
Achieved by:
- All new building projects to align to a minimum BREEAM “Very Good” status and/or the FE Output Specifications relating to sustainable building performance.
- Phasing out all oil-fired heating systems in favour of renewable fuels.
- Maintaining currency with all relevant grant opportunities such as Salix Finance ensuring implementation-ready status.
- The continued rollout of electric vehicles as suitable replacements for end of lease fleet vehicles.
