Midlands college group WCG is to feature in a film that will be shown at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow to demonstrate how staff and students are contributing to a reduction of the UK’s carbon emissions.
Sustainability certification Planet Mark’s 100 per cent electric carbon battle bus rolled into WCG’s Rugby College as part of a national Zero Carbon Tour that aims to illustrate the phenomenal array of actions being taken to address the climate crisis and take the net zero carbon message to communities.
Staff and students attended carbon clinics and took part in Net Zero Essentials workshops to learn how they can set and meet their own credible net zero carbon targets.
WCG has been reporting the carbon emissions across its seven sites in the Midlands through Planet Mark since 2013 when it committed to the target of a 2.5 per cent reduction every year. This target has now increased to 5 per cent.
In 2019/20, WCG reduced its overall emissions by 12.5 per cent to a relative carbon footprint of 0.3tCO2e per member of staff and student, a decrease of 1.3 per cent on the previous year.
The carbon saved by WCG across the year was the same amount as used by 62 homes in one year.
With two prominent land-based colleges in its group — Moreton Morrell College in Warwickshire and Pershore College in Worcestershire — sustainability is also embedded in WCG’s curriculum.
There has been major growth in student numbers on animal welfare courses, and staff and students are involved in trials of cattle feed that aims to reduce global carbon emissions and also new plant production techniques, and the more sustainable use of pesticides.
There has been a shift in learning on engineering courses to include vehicle electrification, and the adoption of new power sources such as hydrogen. Hair and beauty students are being taught new processes that seek more eco-friendly solutions to the use of traditional chemicals.
Roger Bevan, Chief Financial Officer at WCG, said: “Within our group are two of the country’s most prominent land-based colleges so an awareness of the environment and the need to protect it is woven into our DNA.
“There are obvious financial benefits to reducing our carbon footprint, but there is more pressure now than ever from environmentally aware students who have higher expectations of us in terms of what we’re doing and how we’re preparing them as the workforce of the future through academic and practical learning. We also want to be at the forefront in preparing our students for future skills needs.
“We now into our eighth year of certification from Planet Mark so it’s fantastic opportunity to be part of their Race to Zero Carbon Tour which will showcase to a global audience how we’re contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation.”
Steve Malkin, founder and CEO of Planet Mark, added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with WCG on this Zero Carbon Tour flagship event as part of the Together For Our Planet campaign in the build up to COP26.
“It was great to speak with students, staff and people in the local community about how all businesses and organisations, no matter their size, can contribute to the fight against climate change by committing to net zero carbon. Through the critical Race to Zero we can all play a part in our planet’s future”.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference — also known as COP26 — takes place in Glasgow between 31 October and 12 November, 2021.
WCG offers a range of full-time courses in a wide variety of subjects. For more information, go to www.wcg.ac.uk or call 0300 456 0049.
PICTURE CAPTION: From left to right - Lee Kirk (WCG), Hannah Dean-Wood (Planet Mark) and Simon Philpott (WCG).