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SUSTAINABILITY AT CITY COLLEGE

Welcome to our Sustainability webpage! Here at City College Plymouth, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices both on campus and in our wider community.

Our Sustainability Mission

Our mission is to promote and integrate sustainable practices in every aspect of our college. We aim to reduce our carbon footprint, promote the use of renewable energy, minimize waste and consumption, and support environmental education and outreach. The College signed the SDG Accord this year, aligning to the Sustainable Development Goals, committing to annual reporting to the UN.

Responsible Futures CCP

Responsible Futures

Responsible Futures is a whole-institution supported change programme and accreditation mark to embed sustainability across all aspects of student learning. We’ve recently introduced their externally-assessed accreditation mark where students audit our curriculum, helping them gain the skills and experience needed to thrive as global citizens. This is the only framework of its kind that maps out the organisational innovation and enhancement required, spanning top down, middle out and bottom up level change, to achieve whole institution engagement with sustainability learning, so we’re thrilled to support it!

Our Sustainability Targets

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2030
Reducing water consumption by 25% by 2025
Reducing waste to landfill by 50% by 2025
Increasing the use of renewable energy to 30% by 2025
Providing sustainability training and education to all staff and students by 2025
Investing in the local community

Biodiversity

We are in the process of mapping green spaces on the College estate and are actively investing in our wildflower meadow and have introduced apiaries to our Kings Road campus.

In October 2022, City College Plymouth joined forces with Pollenize in their mission to protect pollinators. Since then, we’ve been on quite a journey and have provided space on campus as a host apiary site, expanding their Plymouth apiary network.

And, in Spring 2023, Pollenize launched their Pesticide-Free Plymouth campaign, a city-wide movement aimed at raising awareness of the harmful effects of pesticide use on the environment. We proudly supported this campaign by making a bold pledge: to become an entirely pesticide-free campus by 2024.

Working with Pollenize, we’ve been able to forge a variety of green initiatives, including becoming a hedgehog-friendly campus, emphasising the importance of private landowners making nature-friendly decisions.

In October 2023, we continued our commitment to the environment by granting Pollenize permission to transform a 500-square-metre area on campus into a wildflower meadow.

City College Plymouth is offering free hedgehog houses to schools, nurseries and care homes that might wish to provide these prickly critters with somewhere safe and snug to sleep.

Thanks to a scheme spearheaded by a 17-year-old student, the College has ten flatpack hedgehog houses that are easy to assemble and perfect for providing these cute creatures with a safe and secure home.

In 2023, we chose Surfers Against Sewage as our designated charity for the year!

Over the last 30 years, Surfers Against Sewage has grown into one of the UK’s most successful marine conservation and campaigning charities. The charity perfectly aligns with our dedication to environmental initiatives, sustainability, wellbeing and the marine and maritime sectors. Since choosing this charity, we’ve raised hundreds of pounds to help protect our oceans and coastal environments. We couldn’t be happier to be supporting Surfers Against Sewage and championing real change in Britain’s Ocean City alongside them.

The transformation of our Wildflower Meadow began in October 2023. We planted it with a specially chosen seed mix, designed to support the bees living on our campus.

Curriculum

We provide environmental education and training for staff and students, and we encourage community engagement through sustainability events, workshops, and outreach activities.

Carbon Literacy is an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis. We know how important it is to ensure our staff are Carbon Literate and better interact with our communities which is why we regularly offer Carbon Literacy training throughout the year.

We’re proud to have achieved Bronze Carbon Literacy Accreditation and have our sights firmly set on the Silver and Gold awards. Watch this space!

We hold monthly meetings with students and staff alike on campus to come together to share the amazing work each department is doing to contribute to our sustainable journey, as well as discussing the ways in which we can do better. This helps us keep ourselves accountable, while celebrating our wins!

At City College Plymouth, we’re at the forefront of green energy education and skill development. Our newly established Green Skills Centre, opened in September 2023, is a testament to our commitment to eco-friendly and innovative learning. Most recently, we’re proud to introduce our exclusive Electric Vehicle (EV) short courses, meticulously designed for practising electricians and forward-thinking employers in Plymouth who are eager to dive into the world of green energy. Find out more here.

We also offer a range of FREE courses in green construction and welding to help adults develop in-demand skills that lead to higher-paid roles within growing sectors. Shaped with train4tomorrow, Skills For Life and Devon County Council, our Skills Bootcamps respond to skills shortages and can propel students into an emerging industry. Take a look at what we have on offer here.

Estates

We have implemented a recycling program for paper, plastic, glass, and other materials, and we encourage staff and students to minimize waste by using refillable water bottles and reusable bags.

We have installed energy-efficient lighting, upgraded our heating and cooling systems, and implemented energy-saving policies throughout the campus.

In September 2023, we saw a fantastic new addition to our campus facilities that aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions. ‘Beryl Bikes’ located at Kings Road, Picquet and TIMS, provide our students and staff with a convenient and eco-friendly way to move across the city, including travelling between our various sites such as Kings Road, TIMS, and Picquet.

Beryl Bikes can be found across the city and we’re proud to be a part of this initiative to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions while enjoying the benefits of a healthier and more sustainable mode of transportation. Find out more about Beryl Bikes here.

College Sustainability Statement

Use the button below to view the College’s Sustainability Statement.

Premier Carbon Capture and City College Plymouth's Impact Report 2023

Use the button below to view the College’s Impact Report for 2023.

Latest News

City College Plymouth Joins UN’s Fight for More Sustainable Future

SDG Accord - City College Plymouth

Join us in our sustainability efforts!

We encourage all staff and students to join us in our sustainability efforts. You can contribute to our sustainability goals by:

  • Reducing energy consumption by turning off lights and electronics when not in use.
  • Using public transportation, cycling, or walking to commute to college.
  • Minimizing waste by using reusable bags and containers, and recycling materials.
  • Supporting local and organic food options.
  • Participating in our sustainability events and outreach activities.

Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and create a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.

SDG & Mindful Employer City College Plymouth

Reflecting on a Year of Collaboration: Pollenize's Partnership with City College Plymouth

CCP Pollenize - Sept23