The EVC Magazine Autumn/Winter 2024 - Magazine - Page 27
Climate friendly visits
Case study FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
JOIN THE LET'S GO
ZERO CAMPAIGN
CLIMATE ACTION IN PRACTICE
75%
cut in carbon emisssions
since 2012
waste removed
7.5TONNES food
from landfill in 2023
Let’s Go Zero unites teachers, pupils,
parents and schools as you work
together to reach zero carbon by 2030.
Find out more and join at
https://letsgozero.org/
Since 2012, the Field Studies Council has cut its own
carbon emissions by 75% and in 2019 it declared its
own climate emergency, launching an ambitious plan
which included measures such as switching to greener
energy sources, improving the efficiency of buildings and
reducing travel.
if learners are well nourished they
will get the best out of their days
exploring in and learning about the
natural world
A significant part of its carbon reduction effort has
focused on food sustainability and the Field Studies
Council says this is an area where schools can look to
improve their own sustainability.
“We know that if learners are well nourished with a
hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner they will get the
best out of their days exploring in and learning about
the natural world.
“At the same time however, it’s really important that
we are delivering meals in the most sustainable way
possible so that we can continue to reduce our carbon
impact and support schools promoting their own green
agenda”.
"Many UK schools are working to become zero
carbon by 2030. Even when they are away from
the classroom, they can still maintain that
commitment because of our ethos and values"
Chris Wilkinson, catering and hospitality development manager
Significant green achievements include the banning
of single use plastics across Field Studies Centre
kitchens and dining halls; recycling used cooking oil
into biodiesel and minimising food waste through
careful monitoring, portion control and food waste
practices. In the second half of 2023 they removed
7.5 tons of food waste from landfill by introducing a
specific food waste collection service.
Dining hall menus now prioritise sustainable meat
and seafood and the charity provides an exclusively
vegetarian or plant-based menu one day per week.
Images: Field Studies Council
"We measure the carbon footprint of our meals with
the aim of migrating learners from higher to lower
carbon meals.
These are all things that schools can replicate on site
in their own settings and we are more than happy to
provide advice on how they can get started on some
of these initiatives”.
Field Studies Council is an environmental education
charity. Through its UK network of centres, it provides
day and residential courses for all ages, including
school groups. wwww.field-studies-council.org
THE EVC MAGAZINE – AUTUMN/WINTER 2024-25
27
