What does leading on sustainability look like in practice?

By Riikka Vihriälä, lead of sustainability strategy at New City College from 2019 to 2025, and consultant. 

New City College won the AoC Beacon Award for sustainability this spring, following a Green Gown Award in 2024. It’s one of the largest colleges in the country, and also arguably one of the leading colleges on sustainability in the FE sector.

So, what does that actually mean? Has the entire estate been decarbonised and is there a clear plan to achieve true net zero? Is every staff member committed to sustainability? Are all students leaving the college with a thorough understanding of sustainability in their areas of study?

Honestly: no, no and no.

I will, however, share five examples of what leading on sustainability looks like in practice.

Sustainability through food

Recently at a lunch in New City College’s commercial restaurant OKN1, we were served a sustainable menu. All products were local and seasonal. The tiramisu was made with silken tofu cream, home-made sponge and re-used coffee grind. Herbs were harvested from the restaurant’s garden. The curriculum team goes beyond the qualification specification to teach students sustainable food production methods such as fermentation. Not because this is directed by the college strategy, but because it is best way to prepare the students for the food industry of tomorrow.

Sustainability through CPD

Whole-college CPD days have been dedicated to sustainability with a recent curriculum staff conference focusing on education for sustainable development. Some time afterwards, a curriculum director observed an ESOL lesson as part of a learning walk. Climate refugees were being discussed in the context of increased flooding in Bangladesh. This moved sustainability from an abstract concept into tangible reality anchored in the lived experiences of students and their families.

Sustainability through structures

Outside of the classroom, student engagement in sustainability is embedded within established structures. Every campus has a student union and in each union, there is an environmental role. There are campus-specific initiatives, for instance litter picks led by the student unions and shared vegetable gardens maintained by students. Sustainability is a key topic covered as part of the tutorial programme. Carbon literacy is offered as academic enrichment. Annual green weeks led by the enrichment team provide activities online and in-person.

Sustainability through estates

The main plant rooms in two campuses now run with air source heat pumps rather gas boilers. Further heat pumps are being installed in a third campus as part of its redevelopment. Salix funding has helped to make these projects possible and so has the senior leadership team commitment to sustainability. Every major capital project goes through a sustainability assessment. Annual environmental action plans set out key sustainability initiatives to be completed that year. Carbon emissions in the college’s direct or indirect control have reduced by over a quarter since reporting started.

Sustainability through waste management

Decisions on sustainability actions are carefully considered rather than being tick-box exercises. Finding a truly sustainable approach to waste management has resulted in teams visiting several recycling centres to find out what really happens to waste. The procurement of a waste contractor prioritised sustainability credentials over monetary value. A contract with a waste provider was terminated because they were not forthcoming about the rebating of waste abroad. Difficult discussions have been had internally about what the waste hierarchy means for practical action.

All of these initiatives, and more, have been and continue to be widely shared with the sector via networks at the Association of Colleges, the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and the Greater London Authority.

Sustainability at New City College is at a completely different place in 2026 than it was in 2019 when the first strategy was being drafted. Yet, this work is not over. In fact, as most short- and medium-term actions have been completed, the work is getting harder. The never-ending pressures of time and money compete with progress on sustainability but it is a healthy competition, fuelled by passion and dedication. As difficult as the work on sustainability is, New City College is committed to keeping going, because it is the right thing to do.