Our Commitment to the Environment

We declared our own climate emergency on Thursday 4th July 2019 and committed to further reduce our carbon usage in line with ambitious targets.

Our latest figures show FSC achieved over 65% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 – much better than the 40% target we set ourselves in 2011.

Switching to greener, off-grid sources of energy has been key to our success in reducing our carbon footprint. Efforts have also focused on building infrastructure and managing heat loss at centres, replacing our vehicle fleet with more energy efficient cars and reducing travel time for staff.

In 2011 98% of our energy use (excluding transport) came from fossil fuels. By investing in local, renewable energy production at our centres we have reduced our reliance on fossil fuels to less than 50% in 2018.

“It’s clear that environmental sustainability should be at the top of the Government’s agenda when it comes to prioritising spending. Supporting environmental education, sustainable development, cleaner industry and a movement towards a low-carbon economy is absolutely essential.”

Mark Castle, FSC CEO

We source our energy from Ecotricity, one of the UK’s greenest energy suppliers and are a part of their ‘Green Team’.

The following FSC centres have been awarded the Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award:

FSC Blencathra, FSC Castle Head, FSC Dale Fort, FSC Flatford Mill, FSC Juniper Hall, FSC Margam, FSC Millport, FSC Nettlecombe Court, FSC Preston Montford, FSC Rhyd-y-creuau and FSC Slapton Ley.

The award recognises organisations which go the extra mile to make sure children are receiving healthy, nutritious and sustainable meals.

The trees on our estates remove over 130 tones of CO2.

We still have work to do…

An energy audit carried out in 2019 identified opportunities to reduce our total energy consumption by a further 20%.

We’re on track to comply with the UK energy savings regualtions (ESOS Phase 2).

As the country’s leading provider of outdoor and environmental learning we have always held the protection and conservation of the environment as one of our key values. Professor Tim Burt, FSC President

We have learnt about the advantages and disadvantages of different technologies.

Between 2011 and 2019 we surveyed the lighting requirements at all our Centres and replaced 40% of conventional light bulbs energy-saving LED bulbs.

We have installed a mix of renewable energy heating systems that are suitable for specific environments and needs

These include

• 5 biomass boilers
• 3 ground source heat pumps
• 2 hydro-electric turbines
• 1 air source heat exchanger

 

Habitat Conservation

At our Field Centre locations we safeguard important habitats from ancient woodlands to wetlands and coastlines.

Our natural sites are home to whole host of wildlife from Otters to Red Squirrels, Bats and Great Crested Newts.

Green Fund

Each year FSC centres are able to choose and run projects which improve the charity’s environmental sustainability. Most projects improve our carbon emissions but it also allows our staff to make a difference.

From electric bikes and recylcing signage at FSC Slapton to a drinks water fountain at FSC Castle Head and a wellbeing walkway and hedgehog highway at FSC Rhyd-y-creuau and a host of other initiatives at other FSC centers, staff have been getting involved and coming up with ideas to help us be more sustainable and mindful of our carbon footprint.