What is 'sustainability' and 'sustainable development'?
There are on-going debates over the precise meaning of
sustainability and sustainable development. However, sustainability
can be seen as an ideal state where social and economic activity
does not degrade the environment locally or globally, but maintains
natural systems and resources for future generations.
Sustainable development is the process (the actions, decisions,
policies, etc) that move us closer to sustainability.
Why sustainability and sustainable development in the Learning
and Skills sector?
There are a number of reasons that make sustainability
particularly relevant for the Learning and Skills sector.
- FE colleges and other training providers are part of a wider
community that is having to respond to new environmental, social
and economic challenges.
- The Learning and Skills sector has a duty to prepare its
students for these challenges and for new ways of living and
working. The curricula, the management practices and the
ethos of the organisation are equally important in performing this
duty successfully.
- The business case for sustainability in the Learning and Skills
sector has been established and it is becoming stronger as
environmental legislation increases and as the demand for knowledge
and skills associated with sustainable development grows.
- Sustainability can provide senior managers with a vision and a
long term strategy for their organisation.
Starting the journey
The process of sustainable development is strongly influenced by
context, which means that the experience of each college or
learning organisation will be different. However, when it
comes to implementing sustainability there are some critical
factors that can help secure success.
Support of senior management
It is important for staff and students in the organisation to
see that the senior managers are committed and supportive of any
initiative to implement sustainable development. It provides
leadership and it legitimises departmental and individual actions
that contribute to sustainable development. Leadership can
also come from a sustainability champion at middle management
level, providing there is senior management backing.
Links
Leadership and
Management
Case studies
Sustainability:
From Strategy to Practice - A Whole School Approach
Start from where people are already at
Everyone is engaged with sustainable development to some degree,
but many staff and students may not recognise what they do as
contributing to sustainable development. One way of raising
awareness and establishing a baseline to work with staff is to
carry out an audit. This could be a curriculum audit or an
estates management audit or both. An audit combined with
staff development can engage staff and a baseline audit provides an
opportunity to demonstrate progress in future years.
Links
BREEAM
Engaging staff and
students
Sustainable
development in the curriculum
Build it into the institutional plan and management
structures
Establish a sustainability group or committee that includes
students, teaching staff and non-teaching staff. There should
be clear lines of accountability into the management structure of
the organisation with new ideas and initiatives as well as
reporting on established initiatives. The group or committee
should feed into and comment on the institutional plan with regard
to sustainability issues and it should also keep an overview on
activities to insure they 'join-up' and complement one another.
Links
Leadership and
Management
Case studies
Securing
Sustainability at Worcester College of Technology
Action plans and policies
Sustainability has a broad reach and it is impossible to do
everything in the first year. A good action plan can set out
achievable targets focusing on certain aspects of sustainability,
while acknowledging these will link to a long term, broader set of
aims. A sustainable development policy may not be one of the
first actions; it may take some time to develop through a
consultative process with staff and students, which can be a good
awareness raising activity.
Links
Sustainable
development policies
Enlist help from partners
Sustainable development is a large agenda for an organisation to
address in isolation, but fortunately there are a growing number of
organisations that can help. Other colleges, work-based
providers and adult and community learning organisations that have
already started their sustainability journey are good sources of
help (see the case studies on this website). Community and
business organisations can be good resources on sustainability for
the curriculum. As contracts come up for renewal include
sustainability targets and work with suppliers to help meet the
targets.
Links
Sustainable
Procurement
Community and Business
Case studies
Embedding
Sustainable Development & Global Citizenship in the curriculum
at Coleg Ceredigion
Communicate
Identify the best way in your organisation to communicate
sustainable development activity to students, staff and the local
community. This may be a noticeboard, a newsletter or an
event. Find ways to connect existing pockets of good practice
and celebrate successes.
Links
Engaging staff and
students
Community and Business