Southern Regional College is committed to establishing the highest possible standards of sustainability across all our core activities.
2023/24
1. Introduction
Southern Regional College is committed to establishing the highest possible standards of sustainability across all our core activities. This is our second annual sustainability report
We recognise the role of education in enabling students to develop the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours needed for sustainable development, ensuring they are equipped to meet the rapidly changing demands of the world. We recognise our role in contributing to local and national initiatives regarding carbon reduction and the climate emergency.
Creating a Sustainable Inspired College is one of the College’s strategic aims and we aim to use our position as an education and training provider to inspire and promote a sustainable culture in everything that we do.
To help us achieve this we have three underpinning objectives namely:
• To develop and support a sustainable workforce.
• To
embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all aspects of College life and to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to promote sustainable development.
• To embed sustainable practice in all aspects of College operations.
The College also recognises the alignment between the SDG Accord and the DfE’s Economic Vision where SDG 8 –Decent Work and Economic Growth aligns with Good Jobs and SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 11Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production and 13 – Climate Action all align with Decarbonisation.
In May 2024 the College was named as a specified reporting public body under the Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland). This means that under section 42 of the Climate Change Act, the College will be legally bound to report emissions produced via its activities. To ensure we are best placed to meet these requirements the College has offered to participate in a DEARA Co-design Working Group to assist in the development of reporting templates, guidance, and portal in relation to these regulations.
The College has, for the first time, participated in Business in the Community’s (BITC) Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey. This is the principal benchmarking exercise that helps businesses examine, review, compare and improve their environmental performance, and champions organisations who are demonstrating action for real change. Scores, released at an event in November – are based on an organisation’s environmental management and performance in key areas, as well as the extent to which environmental business practices have been embedded within corporate strategies.
As a signatory to the SDG Accord, we have fulfilled our obligation to report annually on the progress we make in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reports from all signatory institutions are collated to provide a summary report of how both the Higher and Further Education sectors are contributing to the SDGs globally which is presented each year to the UN High Level Political Forum.
2. The UN Sustainable Development Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked Global Goals that are designed to be a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
They are an urgent call for action by all countries, both developed and developing, in a global partnership.
They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth, all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. The SDGs were set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.
3. Our Sustainability Framework
To guide and support our activities we have a Sustainability Framework that operates within three top level headings of People, Place and Process which naturally interlink and overlap.
To aid in our commitment to establishing the highest levels of sustainability across all our activities, the College has a Sustainability Working Group that promotes, co-ordinates and monitors the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives across the College.
Each Academic and Business Support area is required to comment on the progress made in embedding the SDGs within their practices as part of their sectional reviews. All course self evaluation reports offer course teams the opportunity to reflect on sustainability actions within their course.
4. Our Sustainability Goals
Our Sustainability Goals outline our aspirations for the forthcoming year informed by the findings within our annual SDG Accord Report. Progress against our action plan is monitored at each Sustainability Working Group meeting.
1
Engage students with the Sustainable Development Goals through Teaching and Learning by:
• Raising student awareness of SDGs within the context of their course
• Exploring ways in which the SDGs can be further highlighted and promoted within the curriculum
• Exploring ways to effectively and accurately map where and how the SDGs are embedded within the curriculum
3
Take climate action by:
• Replacing the College carbon management plan with a new Sustainability plan for all sections of the College to ensure we have an integrated road map for achieving carbon neutrality
• Sourcing Sustainability training for staff
• Ensuring sustainable procurement practices are embedded in our procurement policies, procedures and guidelines
• Collaborating with key regional stakeholders on the climate emergency
2
Raise awareness of sustainability and the SDGs across the College by:
• Maintaining a Sustainability SharePoint resource for staff
• Rolling out Sustainability and Environmental training for College lecturing and support staff
• Incorporating Sustainability as part of the SRC Corporate Health & Wellness events
• Working collaboratively with the Student Union to increase student engagement
4
Build partnerships for the SDGs by:
• Consolidating our existing partnerships
• Establishing new partnerships with local councils and others
• Participating in the Business in the Community 2024 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey
5. Key Achievements This Year
SDG Accord Progression
The College has progressed to “Emerging” in Leadership & Governance, Estates & Operations, Learning & Teaching and Partnership & Engagement in the latest SDG Accord Report
Planned and monitored actions through our Sustainability Working Group
Sustainability Framework informs all aspects of our activity.
Delivered Sustainability training to 398 full-time staff
Extended our engagement with local and national networks and partnerships
Reduction in carbon emissions: Upgrades and investments across the Estate have contributed to a reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions. Our emissions from heating have reduced by 22% against the 2016/17 baseline year and electricity emissions have reduced by 53%
Fulfilled our reporting obligations as signatories to the UN SDG Accord
Mapping sustainability across the curriculum: 71% of courses mapped coverage of the SDGs within student projects, demonstrating student engagement across a broad range of SDGs, particularly with SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
Key aspirational Sustainability Goals identified for the forthcoming year(s)
Student Services have established a series of workshops that can be linked to our SDG targets
6. Our Students
Key activities this year
In 2023/24 the Southern Regional College Students’ Union (SRCSU) elected 3 Sustainability Officers whose role ensures student representation and input into both the College and Students’ Union sustainability activities. Sustainability Officers have benefited students by creating awareness, providing opportunities for involvement, fostering skill development, and making the College campuses a more environmentally conscious and responsible community.
SDG addressed in 2023/24
Club and Societies
The Student Engagement Team have developed an extensive club and societies programme to address and promote equality and diversity within the student body. Students participate in:
• Women’s Society
• LGBTQ+ Society
• Cultural Diversity & Inclusion Council
• Neo Diverse Lunchtime Club
Pink Present
The Pink Present Initiative offers a range of FREE sanitary products available across all campuses. Sanitary products are now available in all relevant bathrooms and areas.
My World My Home Programme
A Sustainability Induction is delivered to SU Officers and course reps to promote the sustainability development goals of SRC, UN Sustainable Development Goals and the My World My Home programme.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Student Engagement Manager, who acts as a referral agent for local food banks, can connect students and staff at SRC with food parcels and support from relevant community partners. As a result, 21 SRC students and staff members received assistance. Additionally, 14 students were referred to St. Vincent de Paul for essential support services, including educational programmes, mentorship, and access to resources such as food, clothing, and housing assistance.
GoodforMeGoodforFE
The Student Engagement Team, supported by Southern Regional College Student Union (SRCSU), continue to facilitate the College’s toy appeal as part of the College’s commitment to the #GoodforMeGoodforFE initiative and focused on asking staff to donate a present. This appeal aimed on supporting all College students who have presented as experiencing family and financial pressures due to Christmas. This continues to be a hugely successful initiative with a closing tally of 76 toys and £50 vouchers, helping 5 students & 11 children.
Educational Eats
The ‘Educational Eats’ initiative operated in all SRC Campuses and offered all students the chance to avail of a free breakfast and lunch every day. This was possible through a successful joint application with the 6 Colleges to DfE for £164,000. The funding helped provide 31,400 free breakfasts and 8,738 free lunches to all students.
Winter Wellness Packs
The Student Engagement Team distributed hoodies to SRC students. To coincide with this and to raise awareness and increase the number of students availing of the initiative, the Student Engagement Team organised a Mental Health Roadshow. The event was successful in recognising and celebrating the challenges and successes that people deal with on a daily basis and showcasing innovative developments within the sector and share best practice methods. The Student Engagement Team continues to distribute Winter Wellness Packs to students who present as being in need of assistance. These packs consisted of a woollen hat, coat, scarf and a snood.
Sustainability Fair
The Student Engagement Team organised a Sustainability Fair. The fair aimed to be a great way to introduce, encourage and support students with ideas and tips on reducing their carbon footprint and waste. It was also opportunity to showcase local producers and retailers and highlight local sustainability initiatives. With the focus being on sustainable fashion practices, St Vincent de Paul created a ‘Pop up’ shop and sold clothing for £1. £1,600 worth of clothing was sold during the event.
7. Curriculum
We have developed a process of mapping the contribution of courses to the goals across all courses, recording where the SDGs are integrated in curriculum content and delivery. This will inform how they are embedded within individual students' projects. 71% of courses have mapped the coverage of the SDGs within the curriculum and student work. Within each course there is a natural alignment with many of the SDGs, with student work demonstrating engagement within the context of their individual practice.
Courses aligned with the SDGs
All teaching and learning at the College ensures that students acquire the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to progress into employment within their chosen industries. 27
Sustainable Sleeping Beauty
As part of preparations for the annual Christmas play the production team followed the Theatre Green Book to deliver the production of Sleeping Beauty in a sustainable way. The team put sustainability at the core of the production by introducing paperless scripts, using recycled costumes and using recycled items to develop the set. Materials were sourced from other faculties, old campus building and local business. The team used left over paint and fixings to pull it all together. With over 100 students involved in the production, including students from performing arts, music, hair, beauty and barbering, and art, the pantomime is an unforgettable experience and this year had less of an environmental impact thanks to the diligent work of the students.
World Creativity and Innovation week
Sustainability
Competition
The challenge: Through your course you are asked to look at the 7th UN Sustainable Development Goal, Affordable & Clean Energy and with innovation and creativity you must come up with a way to address the issue aligned to your course. The approach is open, this is why the problem is appropriate for all courses. Out of a strong field of entries the winner came up with an out of the box solution based on a floating solar panel generation system, using an umbilical cord arrangement to both anchor the array and channel the electricity back to earth. Judges commented that “A good design idea is always an engineer’s nightmare”
Curriculum Development
Skill-up Curriculum Development Project
As part of a DfE funded project, the College played its part along with the five other regional Colleges in the development of a range of Sustainability focused courses for industry ranging from Carbon Accounting, Sustainable Construction, Embodied Carbon, Circular Economy, Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainability in the Workplace. These courses will be rolled out during the 2024/25 academic year.
Social Impact
Project Based Learning Football v Loneliness!
As part of the PBL aspect of their studies, four students from level 3 Health and Social Care course in Armagh developed a project focused on tackling the issue of loneliness in young people through the beautiful game! This innovative social initiative has young people coming together with a view to helping themselves and others substitute loneliness for friendship. The project was awarded second place in a sector wide PBL Social Impact Competition.
Climate change in the community
The College has worked with local community organisations to deliver a Level 2 Award in Reducing Carbon Footprints through Environmental Action to 35 learners via the GROW project. The qualification has provided the learners with an understanding of the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change and how individuals, communities and organisations may contribute to reducing their impact.
8. Finance
In compliance with the College’s Procurement Policy, all goods, services, and works should be necessary and suitable for carrying out the agreed business of the College and should be procured ethically, innovatively, and to the optimum quality.
In accordance with Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy (NIPPP), we require contractors to adhere to social value initiatives, fair working practices, the payment of the Real Living Wage, the protection of Human Rights and prevention of Modern Slavery, where applicable. We comply with the College’s Environmental Sustainability Policy which includes minimising waste and pollution through the reduction of waste, reuse of resources and effective recycling.
The following Sustainable Development Goals are considered and applied, where appropriate.
Social Value
In line with procurement policy (PPN 01/21), all government contracts are required to incorporate compliance with relevant employment, equality and health and safety law and human rights standards, adherence to relevant collective agreements and adoption of fair work practices for all workers engaged in the delivery of the contract. Tenders above certain thresholds must also include a minimum of 10% of the total award criteria to social value.
Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy (NIPPP)
We comply with the 12 principles of the NIPPP including: Fair Dealingthe principle that suppliers should be treated fairly and without unfair discrimination, including protection of commercial confidentiality where required. Public bodies should not impose unnecessary burdens or constraints on suppliers or potential suppliers.
Environmental Considerations
As required, contractors work closely with the College to adopt sustainable working practices which seek to reduce the use of resources including paper, plastic and waste and take positive action to reduce their impact on the environment.
Sustainable Procurement Practice
Sustainable procurement considers social, economic, and environmental factors alongside the usual price and quality considerations when buying goods and services. Our Procurement Team undertake regular training and updates on how to procure more sustainably and work closely with FE sector finance departments to achieve common goals.
9. Human Resources & Development
No Poverty
Southern Regional College is committed to encouraging a community of volunteers through employee and student volunteering and fundraising activities in line with the #GoodforMeGoodforFE initiative. The College demonstrates corporate social responsibility by supporting local charities within the community, and in doing so, also increases employee and student engagement, wellbeing and skills development. All funds raised are donated to the College’s official charity as nominated by employees and students.
This year staff and students raised £11,000 for the nominated charity NI Children’s Hospice through bun sales; coffee mornings; fashion shows and raffles.
£13,500
Raised
GoodforMeGoodforFE
The #GoodforMeGoodforFE campaign aims to generate £1 million of social value through a range of sustainable community actions including volunteering, fundraising and charitable partnerships. The campaign has 3 primary strands:
1. FE Foodbank donations was extended this academic year to include a Christmas toy appeal and Educational Eats (free breakfasts for students);
2. Encouraging staff and student volunteering activity inside and outside the College community; and
3. Promoting and developing corporate and charitable partnerships. 877 items including food, warm clothing and toys were donated to local community foodbanks. 464 volunteering hours were collated which is calculated to be £7,566 social wealth generated (using the TOMS Framework 2021, 1 hour of volunteering is worth £16.09 per hour to the community).
£7,566 Social Wealth Generated
Good Health and Wellbeing
The College’s staff wellbeing event calendar incorporates initiatives for supporting and maximising good employee health and wellbeing by raising awareness through national campaigns such as Sustainability Awareness Day, International Volunteer Day and World Heath Day. As happy staff are more productive and less susceptible to absence, improved staff wellbeing will inevitably lead to better engagement, performance and retention leading to improved student success. The College is committed to providing a working environment which actively promotes and influences positive employee health and wellbeing. The College’s staff wellbeing event calendar incorporates initiatives for supporting and maximising good employee health and wellbeing by raising awareness through national campaigns.
Gender Equality
The College gender split is currently: 34%
male 66% female
These demographics demonstrate a strong female representation throughout SRC and a significant increase in female representation on the Executive Team from 0% to 75%
Female Representation across the College
International Women’s Day
The College celebrated International Women's Day in March 2024 by exploring our continued commitment to inclusion as both a public educator and as an employer. SRC offers a wide range of courses, open to all. We work closely with local businesses and within the community to ensure courses match the skillset of industry and provide opportunities for those who have missed out on education, for example, Women Returners.
We secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to the value of £3 million to deliver a new innovative employability project with Clanrye Group; Women's Aid; and Community Advice Newry Mourne Down to provide training, employment and support promotion of females into education and employment. We challenge gender stereotypes by promoting courses traditionally held by males to secure females onto courses offering a new career and opportunities within various courses, for example: butchery, plumbing, tiling, electrical, engineering, motor vehicle and photography industries.
The College also sponsored the 2024 International Women's Day event held by the Newry Chamber of Commerce.
Decent Work And Economic Growth
Decent work refers to employment that is productive, provides fair wages, ensures social protection, and respects workers’ rights. At the College, we strive to enhance organisational performance by promoting and embedding best practice employment and people management policies and procedures.
In the latest staff survey:
88.5% of staff believed that their work in interesting.
81.1% felt that they were encouraged to use initiative in their role.
87.8% believed that their role enables them to work well with others.
67.3% of staff felt able to balance work and personal life.
Reduced Inequalities
The College promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and this has many benefits including improving organisational performance; keeping employees happy and motivated; preventing serious or legal issues arising, such as bullying, harassment and discrimination; appealing to a more diverse range of learners; improving ideas and problem-solving and attracting and retaining staff.
In the latest staff survey:
85.4% of staff believed that SRC has a positive impact on society.
77.3% of staff believed that SRC is truly an equal opportunities employer.
78.1% of staff believed that SRC values and respects individual differences.
83.9% believed that SRC is committed to diversity.
10. Estates
SRC’s programme of ongoing estate improvements, including the College’s new build strategy, has supported the optimisation of energy efficiencies throughout our campuses.
Southern Regional College has been reporting utilities consumption since 2017 as part of The Energy Management Strategy and Action Plan for Central Government to 2030. The Action Plan sets a target of 30% consumption reduction to 2030, based on a 2016/2017 base year.
When measured against a 2016/17 baseline year our total 2023/24 heating consumption has reduced by 22% whilst our carbon emissions have decreased by 31%. This is a direct result of the strategy to move from high oil consuming campuses to
more energy efficient buildings and heating methods. During the 2023/24 academic year the College undertook a proactive campaign to reduce its energy consumption including work from home initiatives during mid-term breaks, streamlining evening opening hours and upgrades to our heating and lighting systems. As a result of these actions our heating and power consumption and emissions reduced by 12% from 2022/23.
Further planned upgrades of the estate will assist heating consumption reduction and reduce our carbon footprint. Since 2017, 100% of our electricity supply has been procured from green, clean, renewable sources which supports the decarbonisation of our estate.
Overall, there has been a 53% reduction in carbon emissions from electricity since 2016/17.
In addition, our small but powerful solar panels at Armagh and Banbridge have generated over 181,523 kWh of electricity since installation.
Our Energy Consumption
Total heating consumption in kWh and carbon emissions in tCO2e
Display Energy Certificates
The College annually completes Display Energy Certificates (DEC) for each campus which measures a building’s energy performance based on its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the last year. It is given a score and an operational rating on a scale from A (lowest emissions) to G (highest emissions). The typical operational rating for a public building is D rated. As of June 2024, 51% of SRC buildings are B rated, 30% C rated and 19% D rated.
Waste
In partnership with RiverRidge we recycle or generate an energy source from at least 99% of our waste. Only 1% of our waste reaches landfill, as there is currently no other method of disposal for this waste in Northern Ireland.
Estates Initiatives
The College fleet has been upgraded to include three fully electric cars and demonstrates increased use by staff.
Electric vehicle charging is available for staff and students at Armagh, Banbridge, Newry West and Greenbank. The College added Lurgan Campus to the charging points available.
We procure our electricity from 100% green renewable sources which supports decarbonisation of the estate.
Passive Infra-red (PIR) motion sensors installed in communal areas in Newry West and Greenbank to reduce electric consumption from LED lights.
Upgraded old convector heaters in Lurgan campus to new energy efficient models.
Carried out improvements to the BMS and heating system at Portadown to improve heating efficiency.
Operate and manage our new campuses to BREEAM Excellent standard and have plans to replace our older, less efficient campuses with new energy efficient buildings
In partnership with our cleaning contractor all our bathroom paper products are made from FSC sustainably sourced materials.
We procure our electricity from 100% green renewable sources which supports decarbonisation of the estate.
Completed LED Lighting upgrades across the campuses (value £1.1m) with plans to expand further
11. Actions to Date:
We no longer provide a printed prospectus
398 Staff attended Sustainability Training
Monitoring of energy usage with 16% reduction in consumption against baseline to date with a target of 30% by 2030
Have worked with Friends of the Earth on “My World My Home”
We currently deliver training on Electric Vehicles, EV Charging Points and Climate Action
Senior staff attended ESG training with RSM
Implemented our Sustainability Framework
Signatories to the UN SDG Accord and reported on progress
Provided resources for staff through a Sustainability Tile on SharePoint landing page.
Curriculum alignment to the SDG Goals
SRC Procurement Policy - responsible sourcing
Introduced work from home initiatives during mid-term break and streamlined evening campus opening hours to improve energy efficiency and reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Delivered L2 training on Reducing Carbon Footprints in the community.
