David BeardsSenior Policy Officer,

Learning and Teachingdbeards@sfc.ac.uk

Education for sustainable development

SFC Corporate Plan 2006-09

Objective 4: Sustainable development in Scotland’s colleges and universities

“Require and support colleges and universities to implement strategies to ensure the sustainability of their productive capacity including their financial, human, physical and environmental resources”

“..we will promote sustainable development in colleges, universities and the Council’s own operations in line with the UN Decade of Education for sustainable development...”

Support agencies

• Higher Education Academy• Scottish Further Education Unit• Environmental Association for

Universities and Colleges (EAUC)• Campus Sustainability Project

(CaSPr)

..and not forgetting AUDE, SSDF…

Higher Education Academy activities

•Subject networks•Inter-disciplinary work•Institutional focus/ESD strategy framework•UK work, and Scottish projects (subject-specific, generic and inter-disciplinary developments)•Future priorities…?

Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges

• Guides on campus bio-diversity, waste management, hazardous waste

• ESD community of practice• Campus sustainability programme:

a ‘one stop shop’ for advice and guidance on sustainable development

CaSPr: Campus sustainability

Promoting best practice in: − sustainable construction− energy performance− socially responsible investment− biodiversity− sustainable procurement− transport management Regular workshops/seminars

CaSPr work programme for 2007-08:• launch of web-based resource

materials and guidance• promoting the use of recycled

content in construction projects• a study in environmental

assessment methods and development of guidance

SFC Estates work

• Major campus projects: Queen Margaret University, John Wheatley College, Lauder College

• New guidance for senior managers on SD and estates management

• Post-occupancy evaluation in sustainable development projects

• Recycled content in construction projects• Central Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF)

funding

Developing policy areas…

Sustainable communities− local partnerships− students leading positive change Research-teaching links− How can cutting edge SD research

inform teaching and learning?

There goes the neighbourhood…

There goes the neighbourhood…

SD Research projects (a selection..)

• Transport research; Carbon Storage; Timber (Napier)

• Env. Sustainability; Rural Development (Aberdeen)

• Inter-disciplinary research capacity (Edinburgh)

• Renewable Energy (Glasgow)• Waste and Pollution (Paisley)• Env. History and Policy (Stirling)• Gas Hydrate research (Heriot-Watt)• Integrated energy; Hydrogen & related

applications (Strathclyde)• Conservation science; Eco and Env. Modelling

(St Andrews)

ESD in Scotland’s colleges

SQA guidance on embedding sustainable development in courses

New coordinator post (based at SFEU) to support colleges in responding to SQA guidance, and to work with communities of practice

College campus projects:− ASPIRE Centre, Lauder College− Haghill Campus, John Wheatley College

SFC internal operations

Reducing use of cars, paper, energy Increasing use of public transport,

video conferencing for meetings More recycling More energy efficient staff and

offices Mindful of bio-diversity More sustainable procurement