A COLLEGE has vowed to work towards a sustainable future by reducing its carbon footprint after declaring a climate emergency.

Colchester Institute, in Sheepen Road, Colchester, has developed a three-year plan with the aim of reducing its impact on the environment.

The blueprints suggest students will play a leading role in helping the organisation develop more ways of becoming more eco-friendly.

New courses supporting clean energy industries will also be introduced and existing courses will be reimagined to address climate change.

In a major step towards its decarbonisation goal, the college is currently completing a £5million project at its Colchester campus which includes major alterations and improvements of its key buildings.

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This year the establishment is also piloting a carbon literacy learning programme, encouraging students to address relevant issues of sustainability alongside their main qualification.

The project is being developed by Tom Welham, assistant area head for digital media and carbon literacy lead.

He said: “The climate emergency is one of the biggest challenges we currently face and it is important everyone works together to make the changes needed to limit warming.

“Colchester Institute is doing its part by not just officially declaring that there is an emergency but also taking action to limit our own footprint.”

“This year we’re piloting a new carbon literacy programme for students which we are looking to extend to the wider college during the next academic year.

“This is in addition to addressing our own processes within the college and seeing where we are able to reduce carbon emissions and improve our sustainability college-wide.”

Colchester Institute’s climate emergency declaration comes ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, which is taking place in Glasgow throughout November.

It acknowledges climate change is at a critical point and colleges have a vital role in raising awareness and making changes.

Principal and chief executive Alison Andreas added: “We are passionate about preparing our students for enjoyable and productive careers.

“To do that it is vital we all understand the environmental challenges facing our planet and the role we can play to address these.

“This must, and will, become an ever more important part of what we learn at college.”