Sustainability Update – Building Momentum

Sustainability work at Highlands continues to gather pace.

This term we’ve re-energised the Sustainability Working Group, strengthened cross-college collaboration, and refreshed our Sustainability Action Plan to align with the FE Climate Action Roadmap and the Highlands Sustainability Pledge.

We’re now moving firmly from review into delivery, with clearer ownership, better progress tracking, and growing staff and student engagement. Recent sector learning, including participation in the Powering Net Zero conference, is helping shape our longer-term thinking around renewable energy, estates planning, and future campus development.

There are also some great practical initiatives coming up. A Repair Café is scheduled at Philip Mourant on Saturday 25 April, alongside further all-staff CPD focused on sustainability. Staff will also have the opportunity to become Carbon Literate during the July CPD programme. An upcoming staff and student sustainability survey (led by Sarah McGuire) will help shape next steps and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Alongside this, work continues to embed sustainability within learning and culture through the Future Skills Framework and student-led initiatives. This includes recent SALT group activity exploring the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aligned with SOS-UK recommendations and embedded within the Rights Respecting Framework.

Thanks to everyone contributing ideas and actions. As one of our five Highlands College pillars, it is vital that Sustainability is embedded into everything we do, and your continual hard work and passion helps makes this possible.