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Government Policy
Learning providers have responsibilities for their own buildings and estates and should ensure that these assets are developed and managed to the highest level of sustainability. Raising the quality and standards of FE buildings and estates management can also catalyse and promote sustainable development across the curriculum and with the wider business and local communities.
The Government’s vision within its own areas of responsibility (external website) is to achieve a sustainably managed estate which:
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) (external website) regularly assesses progress towards implementing sustainable development within the government estate. This guide builds on the vision and the approach taken by the government and the SDC to provide guidance for learning providers wishing to make progress towards achieving the vision of a sustainably managed estate.
The business case for managing FE buildings and estates in a more sustainable manner is clearly set out in the action plans that have been developed in response to the Government’s sustainable development strategy. In particular, the Government’s actions relating to procurement within the government estate, delivered through the Sustainable Procurement Task Force (external website), argues the business case for implementing sustainable development across the government estate (including learning and educational establishments).
The actions will achieve a reduced carbon footprint across government activities that will be a visible demonstration of the role of government to showcase best practice to business and citizens. The role of government in changing its estates management will help to stimulate and transform the market for innovative and sustainable solutions. A greater understanding and use of whole-life costing and the social cost of carbon will lead to more informed purchasing decisions, particularly through lower energy costs (by improving energy efficiency), reduced wastage, better recycling of unavoidable wastes, lower water costs and water consumption, and improved biodiversity and social impacts arising from estates management.
The Government’s vision within its own areas of responsibility (external website) is to achieve a sustainably managed estate which:
- Is modern, resource efficient, with low energy buildings.
- Is well conserved and managed land.
- Is efficient use of space and ways of working.
- Has principles of sustainable development embedded into our working practices.
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) (external website) regularly assesses progress towards implementing sustainable development within the government estate. This guide builds on the vision and the approach taken by the government and the SDC to provide guidance for learning providers wishing to make progress towards achieving the vision of a sustainably managed estate.
The business case for managing FE buildings and estates in a more sustainable manner is clearly set out in the action plans that have been developed in response to the Government’s sustainable development strategy. In particular, the Government’s actions relating to procurement within the government estate, delivered through the Sustainable Procurement Task Force (external website), argues the business case for implementing sustainable development across the government estate (including learning and educational establishments).
The actions will achieve a reduced carbon footprint across government activities that will be a visible demonstration of the role of government to showcase best practice to business and citizens. The role of government in changing its estates management will help to stimulate and transform the market for innovative and sustainable solutions. A greater understanding and use of whole-life costing and the social cost of carbon will lead to more informed purchasing decisions, particularly through lower energy costs (by improving energy efficiency), reduced wastage, better recycling of unavoidable wastes, lower water costs and water consumption, and improved biodiversity and social impacts arising from estates management.
