Checklist

Environmental Responsibility: Checklist for ELT schools
 
  • The school has a CSR policy or statement covering environmental responsibility 1
  • The policy is made available to staff, students, parents, accommodation providers
  • Staff induction includes environmental issues and responsibilities 2
  • We have taken action to reduce transport emissions in the UK 3
  • We have taken action to compensate for unavoidable transport emissions from student and staff flights 4
  • Staff understand their role as influencers 5
  • Students understand their environmental responsibilities during their stay
  • We have discussed environmental responsibility with the host school / accommodation provider
  • We have communicated any host school / provider environmental initiatives to staff and students
  • We have taken action to reduce food waste 6
  • We encourage alternatives to meat 6
  • We have taken action to reduce paper waste 7
  • We have taken action to reduce ink waste 7
  • We have taken action to reduce plastic waste 7
  • We have taken action to reduce energy (lighting / electricity) usage 8
  • We have taken action to reduce chemical waste 9
  • We have taken action to reduce water usage 9
  • We have taken action to reduce litter
  • We talk to suppliers (of food, transport, stationery, books, insurance, etc) about their environmental credentials and favour those who demonstrate environmental responsibility.
  • We communicate our environmental concerns and suggestions to local (eg. local authority) and national (eg. Member of Parliament) political representatives.
  • We have given thought to reducing the number of / extending the life of course books
  • We arrange excursions into the countryside or urban natural areas 10
  • We organise documentaries and films around environmental issues 11
  • Teaching materials include environmental issues
  • Teaching includes out-of-class nature-based learning 12
  • We organise social activities and excursions to deepen students’ connection with nature 13
  • We consult staff and students on ways to further reduce waste
  • We provide students and staff with ‘good news’ environmental stories 14
  • We communicate our environmental initiatives on social media – #eltfootprint
  • We refer staff to relevant online forums for further discussion about environmental responsibility in ELT 15
  • We provide support for students or staff who feel emotionally distressed about environmental issues 16

 

Environmental Responsibility Checklist notes

  1. See Study Travel Magazine special report, Contents page 58
  2. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/environmental-induction-for-staff/
  3. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/reduce-reuse-recycle/#uktransport
  4. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/offsetting/
  5. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/influence/
  6. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/reduce-reuse-recycle/#food
  7. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/reduce-reuse-recycle/#PPI
  8. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/reduce-reuse-recycle/#energy
  9. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/reduce-reuse-recycle/#chemicals
  10. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/influence/
  11. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/influence/#films
  12. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/influence/#outdoor
  13. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/influence/#deepen
  14. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/influence/#goodnews
  15. See ELTFootprint.org and https://eltfootprint.uk/links/
  16. See https://eltfootprint.uk/take-action/environmental-induction-for-staff/#mentalhealth