Sustainability Statement
CIEE London is acutely aware of the profound challenges presented by climate change. As a response, we are actively engaged in a comprehensive approach to mitigate emissions and foster a culture of sustainability within our organisation. The diligent efforts of our dedicated Sustainability Team are focused on formulating ambitious goals and translating them into tangible actions, dedicated to addressing the urgent climate crisis of our time.
Sustainability Team
Michal Indrak
Internship Coordinator
(Head of the Sustainability Team)
Mark Simmons
Centre Director
Seán O’Donnell
Director of Student Life
Kirby Dunwell
Faculty & Custom Program Coordinator
Laura Cancino
Pre-College Coordinator
Altin Gashi
Facilities Manager
Mariya Maslova
Facilities Coordinator
Transportation
We actively advocate for the adoption of sustainable modes of transportation, urging both our students and staff to prioritize eco-friendly options like trains and buses while navigating London. Our overarching objective is to inspire our students to embrace sustainable travel methods, especially when traveling between various CIEE locations, such as utilizing trains linking London to Scotland, Amsterdam, and Paris. Encouraging a culture of walking or using environmentally-conscious transport for both academic pursuits and extracurricular engagements remains a cornerstone of our ethos.
Moreover, in an effort to promote sustainable commuting, CIEE London has implemented a cycle-to-work initiative for our esteemed staff, fostering a commitment to eco-friendly transportation to and from their workplace. This initiative, introduced by cyclescheme.co.uk in June 2023,has yielded remarkable results. As of this year, our dedicated staff members have collectively cycled an impressive 4,030 kilometres, leading to a substantial reduction of 89,235 kilograms in CO2 emissions. This achievement equates to preserving the environmental equivalent of 4,249 trees.
Energy Monitoring
CIEE London has initiated a comprehensive approach aimed at closely monitoring and curbing energy consumption, a pivotal strategy in diminishing the carbon dioxide footprint generated by our centre in London. Already, significant strides have been made in this endeavour through the substitution of traditional lighting systems with energy-efficient LED alternatives. Looking ahead, our plans include the installation of motion-sensitive switches in specified areas of our building and the implementation of low-pressure water taps to curtail water usage.
Continuously dedicated to sustainability, CIEE London remains steadfast in exploring and implementing innovative methods to further decrease our energy consumption and enhance our ecological footprint.
Recycling
CIEE London is dedicated to an extensive waste management initiative, marked by strategic investments in new bins for general, recycling, food, and e-waste. Our community of students and staff will be actively encouraged to embrace recycling practices within and around our premises. Emphasising our commitment to combat food waste, we've made a significant investment in a convenient hot composter located on our terrace, easily accessible from both the cafe and the main building.
Moreover, in a concerted effort to minimise single-use plastic, we are actively encouraging our staff and students to adopt reusable water bottles. As part of this exercise, we plan to provide reusable water bottles to our incoming students upon their arrival, aligning with our overarching objective of reducing reliance on disposable plastics.
Recognising the challenge posed by paper waste, we are steadfast in our pursuit of reducing paper usage wherever feasible. Through diligent efforts, we are actively exploring and implementing alternatives to minimise our paper consumption, thereby furthering our commitment to sustainability.
Education
As an initial step, CIEE London has prioritized sustainability by incorporating it into the core message of our orientation for arriving students. Yet, our ambitions extend beyond mere introduction – we aspire to cultivate a profound understanding of environmental stewardship among both our students and staff. To achieve this, our Academic and Internship teams are dedicated to advancing our mission through educational avenues.
The Academic team is actively strategising to broaden our curriculum with the aim of introducing additional Environmental Management and Sustainability courses, aiming to offer our students a robust academic foundation in these crucial areas. Simultaneously, our Internship team is diligently seeking placements within environmentally conscious organizations, providing invaluable opportunities for hands-on engagement in sustainable practices.
Moreover, we're engaging in ongoing dialogues with our partners, exploring the possibility of facilitating specialised training programs for our staff and students. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to fostering a community well-versed in sustainable practices.
Human Sustainability
At CIEE London, the well-being of our staff and students takes precedence, and we are steadfastly committed to providing comprehensive support. As part of our initiatives, we have introduced a cycle-to-work scheme, recognizing the manifold benefits of cycling beyond physical fitness. Embracing cycling not only nurtures physical health but also fosters mental well-being and cognitive prowess, proven to reduce stress, elevate mood, and enhance cognitive function.
In our ongoing quest to bolster our team's well-being, we are actively exploring additional avenues to alleviate stress and promote mental health. This pursuit includes the contemplation of diverse classes such as mindfulness and yoga, designed to empower our staff with tools to manage stress and nurture mental resilience. These enriching sessions will be actively promoted and made available to our students, inviting them to partake in enhancing their well-being should they choose to engage.
Social Justice
Committed to fostering social justice, community engagement plays a pivotal role in our efforts to create an inclusive environment for both staff and students. To enhance social justice, our approach begins with active community involvement, facilitating open dialogues, and creating safe spaces within our centre that encourage diverse perspectives.
We must prioritise listening to marginalised voices within our team and student community by actively seeking input and involvement from underrepresented groups. This not only empowers these individuals but also enriches the collective experience by valuing diverse insights.
Our commitment to anti-racism involves proactive measures to educate, both within our institution and through partnerships with local organisations, and foster a culture of awareness and allyship.
Furthermore, we must support initiatives that address systemic inequalities by collaborating with local grassroots organisations focused on social justice. This involvement can encompass volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy efforts that directly impact and uplift marginalised communities.
By weaving these elements into our programs, policies, and partnerships, we aim to create a study abroad environment that champions equity, celebrates diversity, and actively works towards a more just and inclusive world.
