ECS Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy
Aberdeenshire Council's Education and Children’s Services team acknowledges the world faces a climate challenge directly linked to human activity. It is our responsibility is to provide leadership and guidance in order to move to a more sustainable and low carbon future. But we can't do that without you.
We recognise our action, or inaction will impact future generations and we embrace our social responsibility to become part of the solution and reduce our carbon budget. We are committed to working towards a carbon free society by reducing our emissions by 75% (against our 2010/11 baseline) by 2030 and become Net Zero by 2045.
So, come on our journey and have your say about what matters to you, what you think will make the biggest difference and how we can help.
Click on the image below to view the full ECS Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy
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Schools recognised with Green Flag Award status
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Many of our schools are showing a huge commitment to learning for sustainability.Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded a number of schools and nurseries in Aberdeenshire with an Eco-Schools Green Flag. The international award recognises nurseries and schools which have demonstrated a commitment to the Eco-Schools Scotland programme and over two years have engaged their whole school community in local climate action.
Alehousewells Primary School has achieved a Green Flag Award for the first time. The other Aberdeenshire Council schools to receive recognition are Monquhitter Primary School (which has held a Green Flag Award since 2015), Strathburn Primary School (a Green Flag Award winner since 2009), Keig Primary School (which has held a Green Flag Award since 2013), Mill O'Forest Primary School for the eighth time (since 2005), Aboyne Primary School (a Green Flag Award winner since 2008), Laurencekirk Primary School (since 2015) and Tough Primary School (which has held a Green Flag Award since 2010). Bracoden Primary School, Lochpots Primary School, Pitfour Primary School and New Machar Primary School all regained their Green Flags after a short break.
All the schools took part in a variety of fantastic litter-busting and climate action activities including litter picks, litter surveys, recycling and community clean ups. Many more Aberdeenshire schools participate in the Eco-Schools accredited programme and Green Flag status is the highest level of the award.
Through the Eco-Schools Scotland programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful aims to make action to tackle climate change and environmental awareness an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of schools, for both pupils and for staff. The programme provides a framework to engage the wider school community in climate action aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability.
To complete the Green Flag journey each school has a choice of ten topics to engage with, from climate action, to food and the environment, to litter, to energy. The schools also choose one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to link their Eco-Schools work to.
As part of Aberdeenshire Council’s Routemap to 2030 the ECS Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy has been developed with the help of pupils and staff across Education and Children’s Services. All schools are encouraged to participate in Eco-Schools and Climate Ready Classrooms, and work with young people to address the issues that matter to them.
Cllr Owen, Chair of Education and Children's Services (ECS) Committee commented: "It is brilliant to see a number of schools achieving or retaining their Green Flag status this year and many more fully engaged in the Eco Schools initiative. Well done for demonstrating your commitment to such an important cause and ensuring children and young people can lead the way and involve their local communities in achieving a low carbon future. We are committed to providing leadership and guidance to help all schools and services become more sustainable and everyone has a part to play.
“Across our school estate we are proud to continue to commit to the promotion of sustainability. Our schools are creating the next generation of innovative, inspirational environmentalists and informing local communities that as a school, they are forward-thinking and actively engaged in protecting our planet.”
A programme of training for school staff on all areas of Learning for Sustainability has been created and delivered by the council’s Learning for Sustainability subgroup. This subgroup is run by a group of practitioners who are keen to upskill staff in all aspects of Learning for Sustainability and share good practice. Complimentary training sessions are also on offer from the Montgomery Development Centre.
Vice Chair Cllr Rosemary Bruce added: "We all have a massive opportunity to make a difference when it comes to achieving ambitious targets to lower emissions, even if it seems small collectively it's big. Congratulations to all the settings proudly displaying their green flag and to all of the children, young people, colleagues and partners who have helped to make it happen."
Find out more about the ECS Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy and how to have your say, and view an interactive version of the strategy on ThingLink
Catherine Gee, Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I’d like to congratulate the Eco-Committee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have worked so hard to play their part in combatting climate change and achieve their Green Flag Award. This is particularly impressive during a time of unprecedented adjustment and change to education due to the pandemic and is testament to the resilience and creativity of both pupils and educators.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children, young people and educators through our climate action schools activities to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet and work towards our goal of a Net Zero future.”
More information about the world’s largest sustainable schools programme and
Eco-Schools Scotland can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/eco-schools
For more information about youth participation in Aberdeenshire, visit: https://www.girfec-aberdeenshire.org/home/children-and-young-people/get-involved-youth-participation-and-engagement-in-aberdeenshire/
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Get involved - Understanding Fairtrade and Climate Change
Share Get involved - Understanding Fairtrade and Climate Change on Facebook Share Get involved - Understanding Fairtrade and Climate Change on Twitter Share Get involved - Understanding Fairtrade and Climate Change on Linkedin Email Get involved - Understanding Fairtrade and Climate Change linkThis year, Fairtrade Fortnight is about understanding of the role Fairtrade plays in addressing the climate crisis. There are many opportunities for Teachers, schools and young people to get involved. Read more here: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get-involved/current-campaigns/fairtrade-fortnight/
Fairtrade climate justice events:
Fairtrade, our carbon footprint and the bigger picture
Climate Change, Women, Agriculture and Fairtrade
The Big Fairtrade CPD2022 Fairtrade Youth Exhibition
Presentation for Young People aged 16-28
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Fairtrade Fortnight - School Resources
Share Fairtrade Fortnight - School Resources on Facebook Share Fairtrade Fortnight - School Resources on Twitter Share Fairtrade Fortnight - School Resources on Linkedin Email Fairtrade Fortnight - School Resources linkIt's less than three weeks to go until Fairtrade Fortnight! During these two weeks, schools across the UK will connect with farmers affected by climate change and learn how to take action for a fairer future.
Fairtrade farmers are among the people who have contributed the least to climate change - but are already feeling the worst effects. 17 people from Côte d’Ivoire have the same carbon footprint as one person in the UK, but studies have shown that Africa is the continent most vulnerable to climate change.
To help you bring these issues into the classroom, we've created a new 4-part film and lesson series: 'A Fair Future'. Through this series, young people will:
- Discover the historical inequalities at the heart of the climate crisis
- Connect with farmers affected by extreme weather
- Learn why trade justice is necessary for climate justice
- Understand how to take action for a fair future
Each episode is accompanied by a comprehensive teacher guide, equipping you with lesson plans, discussion questions and a range of follow-up resources. These resources allow your students to explore fascinating topics, such as the complexity of carbon and how to create systems change.
For more ideas on how to get involved in Fairtrade Fortnight this year, check out out Take Action webpage. The climate crisis isn't fair, but together we can take action for a fairer future.
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Account of 1.5 Max Experience- Hannah White (5th Year)
Share Account of 1.5 Max Experience- Hannah White (5th Year) on Facebook Share Account of 1.5 Max Experience- Hannah White (5th Year) on Twitter Share Account of 1.5 Max Experience- Hannah White (5th Year) on Linkedin Email Account of 1.5 Max Experience- Hannah White (5th Year) linkThe 1.5 max summit has been an inspirational experience which has expanded my knowledge about climate change and the devastating consequences it’s having around the world. During the 3 days, we have talked to a range of schools around the world about the issues they are facing as well as their solutions. I have learned about how different countries are suffering as a result to the rising temperatures and sea levels while being inspired to how many communities have adapted to save their homes, for example how the children of Palau have come together to form a pledge all tourists must sign to preserve their small island home. It’s shocking how the countries who have contributed least to the rising temperatures are facing the most extreme consequences with the ocean threatening to devour some, if not all, low-lying areas as water level rise. On the second day of the summit, we focused on the problems our local community is facing by looking at ideas from other schools and using those applicable to find our own solutions. This activity provided an opportunity to research more about the climate issues that we are facing and what actions we can take individually, in school and out in the wider community to help our area and beyond. We are not facing the most extreme effects of climate change- this is one of the main reasons why many people still believe that 'climate change isn’t happening’ or ‘it would have happened anyway so why should we change the way we live?'. It’s disgusting how people are ignorant enough to say that we shouldn’t change how we live when others are facing extreme droughts, flooding, wildfires and more; all of which are eating up the livelihoods (and often the lives) of those around the world who have no choice but to try to live with the ever-growing problem as the western world waves away their cries for help. This is the main thing I took away from the summit; we need to be doing more to educate those around us as by working together, we have the power to secure not only our future and the future of those who are losing everything to climate change.
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Shared post - TED
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What does a powerful photo about climate change look like?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUbD0H8jNQu/?utm_medium=share_sheet
To find out, @TEDCountdown and @ClimateVisuals put out an open call to the world's photographers, asking them to show us the the real story of the climate crisis — both the impacts *and* the solutions. And wow! More than 5,500 photos from 185 countries were submitted, and today we’re excited to share the top 100! Here's a stunning image from photographer Shibasish Saha (@shibasishsaha.official), which shows people harvesting waterlilies during monsoon season in Bortir Bil, West Bengal, India. This beautiful wetlands ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to climate change, and it vividly represents what's at stake if we don't act now. To view all 100 photographs — which are all free for anyone to download and use (!) — go to the link in our bio.
[Image: Shibasish Saha / Climate Visuals Countdown] -
Shared post - TEDCountdown
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You — yes, you — have the power to change climate change. And it starts with speaking up! As writer @emoree explains, The more of us who demand change, the faster changes will be made and the bigger the changes will be. Right now, all over the world, people are rising to the moment and calling for nations and companies to take action to achieve a better future. Visit the link in our bio to learn more what you can do to change your community, country and our world!
[Photo Credit: Abir Abdullah // @ClimateVisuals]
