Adult education providers initiate or join partnerships to have a relevant societal impact for a green transition – reaching new target groups and opening up new possibilities and collaborations.
What you see below are six sub-areas related to areas of ‘Environmental Sustainability of the Institution’. Have a look at them briefly – does your institution have policies or practices in these sub-areas? If you’re interested in finding out how your organisation performs in this overall area of sustainability, you can take the self-assessment test that corresponds to the entire matrix.
Assessing the day-to-day practices of the institution andimproving sustainability in its offices and classrooms.
Enhancing the environmental sustainability of the buildings andoutdoor premises of the adult learning institution.
Developing a leadership and management mission that enhances the environmental sustainability of the institution in all aspects of its work and ecosystem. The following could be included under this:
ATTITUDE:
Ensure that leaders and managers develop their capacity as role models and ambassadors of sustainability.
INVOLVEMENT:
Invite the staff to participate in building sustainability strategies and use their potential.
ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE:
Develop a trusting and sharing environment for staff to nurture sustainability practices.
COMMITMENT:
Make sure that all organisation levels and staff are made aware of the sustainability mission and work of the institution.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS:
Communicate the institutions’ green strategy among shareholders,partners and stakeholders.
RECOGNITION:
Promote the institution locally, nationally and internationally for its workregarding environmental sustainability and the green transformation.
Developing policies and/or strategies that guide the institution to behave environmentally sustainable in its work practices. These can include a series of principles, responsibilities and commitments for the institution to follow. The following can be included under this:
GREEN MISSION:
Include environmental sustainability in institutions’ mission statements andvision.
ASSESSMENT:
Analyse the environmental impact of the institution as a basis for itssustainability strategy.
GOALS:
Describe the institutions’ ambition, principles and measurable sustainability targets.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE:
Define roles and responsibilities related to environmentalsustainability.
STRATEGY PAPER:
Design a strategy for green development that is closely linked to theinstitution’s general strategy.
STRATEGY GROUPS:
Establish groups involving representatives of different levels of theinstitution to tackle different sustainability areas.
INTERNAL GUIDELINES:
Describe measures to implement green policies and strategies.
Assessing the day-to-day practices of the institution and improving sustainability in its offices and classrooms. The following could be included under this:
GREEN PROCUREMENT:
Define environmental standards for products and opt for the most environmentally sustainable purchase.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
Assess the use of energy to reduce consumption.
WASTE:
Reduce, reuse, upcycle and recycle waste.
WATER CONSERVATION:
Analyse water usage, and reduce the consumption and the use of polluting products.
PAPER:
Avoid excessive use of paper in offices and classrooms.
OFFICE SUPPLIES AND FURNITURE:
Use environmentally sustainable materials, furniture and tools.
FOOD:
Provide environmentally sustainable food in canteens, kiosks and food dispensers.
Promoting, prioritising and/or incentivising mobility options for staff and learners that reduce harm to the environment. The following can be included under this:
ECOSYSTEMS:
Join or initiate networks to promote sustainability in local and regional communities.
COMMUNICATION:
Use media and publication channels to promote sustainability events and initiatives taking place in the community.
PREMISES:
Open up the adult institutions’ spaces and resources for green discussions, meetings and events implemented in the local community.
COLLABORATION:
Organise joint activities and/or projects with sustainability movements.
LEARNING OFFERS:
Develop tailored trainings for members of local sustainability groups.
INVOLVEMENT:
Invite members of local sustainability movements to adult learning and education initiatives and campaigns.
Conducting events in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The following could be included under this:
CATERING:
Supply food and drink options that prioritise the use of local products, promote sustainability and limit waste.
PR MATERIALS:
Assess the need for promotional material.
VENUE:
Select event premises that apply and/or respect sustainability principles.
PROCUREMENT:
Prioritise providers that comply with sustainability principles.
ENERGY:
Organise and execute an event in an energy-efficient way.
Enhancing the environmental sustainability of the buildings and outdoor premises of the adult learning institution. The following could be included under this:
ARCHITECTURE:
Transform and/or design buildings and learning spaces following high environmental standards.
SUSTAINABLE SITE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT:
Use environmentally friendlymaterials, resources and processes.
CIRCULARITY: Enable and improve the circular use of construction materials in theinstitution’s buildings.
ENERGY PRODUCTION:
Procure renewable energy and/or install fossil-free energy sourcesto produce energy.
GEOGRAPHIC ACCESSIBILITY:
Make sure that learning spaces can be easily reached by environmentally friendly means of transport.