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AoC Sustainability and Climate Change Briefing February 2025

Update on Governments Clean Energy Mission discussions, AoC Sustainability Conference and , Colleges National Green Week.

Introduction: Politics and Clean Energy Mission

It has been a busy and productive few weeks in promoting the key role of colleges in supporting the government's growth ambitions and Clean Energy Mission. AoC has attended a number of key meetings, responded to inquiries and been involved in discussions with the SoS, Ministers and officials; this has provided an excellent opportunity for FE at this pivotal time as we demonstrate the significant role colleges are already playing in green skills and their potential to do more with the right investment to support the government's growth agenda and Clean Energy Mission.

As you would expect this development phase will continue as officials engage with us at AoC, as well as college leaders, in various ways (including our 2030 and Strategy Groups) as they work up ideas into proposed policies and strategies. Looking ahead over the next six months, there will be quite a few new proposals for us to respond to.

It's good to see government engagement with the sector and in January David Hughes, CEO, AoC, was invited to join the new Clean Energy Skills Forum co-chaired by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Skills Minister Jacqui Smith, who is deputising for Bridget Philipson, which brought together a small group of employers and others to support the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ) take forward its plans on green energy. The DESNEZ analysis on the skills needs and challenges at national level is helpful, but this meeting focused more on what needs to be done now to address the gaps and challenges. That’s why it is important that we are there, to ensure that colleges are supported in their vital role as solutions to the challenges. The forum will meet again in March after a productive first meeting where it was agreed that speed to act was critical.

Finally, in our meetings as highlighted above, it is very helpful to us to cite examples and your case studies that showcase the innovation and commitment that colleges have to the green agenda, so please do send your examples to ian.munro@aoc.co.uk

You can find some ideas and suggestions about what to include in a case study here.

Horizon Scanning

According to new climate data, 2024 was the hottest year on record and the first year above the 1.5C threshold due to primarily burning fossil fuels. Colleges are at the forefront of providing the next generation of students with the support, skills and behaviours to the reduce their carbon footprint, adapting to new environmental challenges, and advocating for change for future generation.

More information on this data is available from the BBC.

The Department for Education (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

The DfE expect all FE institutions in England to have a Sustainability Lead and Climate Action Plan (CAP) by September 2025. CAP cover biodiversity, climate education and green careers, decarbonisation and adaptation and resilience. There’s a range of DfE initiatives for FE settings to progress their sustainability journeys and support from a Climate Ambassador on strategic implementation. Register with Sustainability Support for Education to find quality-assured resources and suggested actions and pathways of development; map your grounds using interactive ESRI tools and access a host of biodiversity data and resources from National Education Nature Park.

For more information, please visit the DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.

AoC Sustainability and Green Skills Conference 2025

The annual AoC Sustainability and Green Skills Conference will be held online on the mornings of Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March 2025. The conference will feature insights from employers, government agencies and sector partners on the skills landscape to support low-carbon energy sector. The conference will also provide colleges a chance to discuss the opportunities and barriers the sector face.

Registration for the conference is now open.

Colleges National Green Week

Colleges National Green Week will run from Monday 17 to Friday 21 March 2025 to celebrate the work colleges do in sustainability and climate change. The aim is to bring to together the sector to showcase what colleges are doing. In celebration, we will be promoting case studies, initiatives and projects that colleges can undertake to support Green Week.

More information is available on our Sustainability Hub.

International Skills Partnership in hydrogen fuel cell technology with South Africa

Grant call now open for two exciting international skills partnerships.

This is an excellent opportunity for two UK-based further education colleges or training organisations looking to build a network and capacity to work internationally. Successful applicants will be eligible for £25 000 of grant funding to support partnership activities (reciprocal visits to the UK and South Africa, staff time (limited to 30% of the grant), development of tools and resources, etc).

The selected UK-based skills organisations will collaborate with Northern Cape Rural TVET College and Nkangala TVET College in South Africa with a focus on the renewable energy sector, in particular, hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Applications should be submitted by Friday 21 February 2025, 23:59 UK time.

Green Gown Awards 2024 Case Studies

South Devon College won Sustainability Institution of the Year Award for their 15 years commitment to climate action across the college. Providing their students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours of sustainable thinking to the local, regional and national community which they demonstrate real impact.

The project can be found here.

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New City College won the Next Generational Learning and Skills Award for their Green Skills Revolution, providing new green courses such as electric vehicles, energy efficiency and retrofit. By bringing together colleges, adult education institutes, employers, and local authorities they have provided over 1000 students with green skills.

The project can be found here.

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Dates for your diary

Climate Leaders Conference, City Campus, Sheffield Hallam University

06 March 2025: 09:30am – 15:30pm

Book now.


AoC Sustainability and Green Skills Conference 2025; Online

19 – 20 March 2025: 09:30am – 12:30pm

Book now.

You can see all upcoming events by AoC here and EAUC events here.

You may also be interested in various national and international sustainability events which can inform your sustainability work in college.