Created on: 28 Oct 2020 | Last modified: 05 May 2023
During 2019, The Educational Institute of Scotland engaged with external consultants to produce a report on and calculation of our carbon footprint.
Subsequently, this report has been used to identify areas in which the carbon footprint of the Institute's operations might be reduced.
With effect from 1 October 2020, the Edinburgh HQ building and the Glasgow Area Office will purchase carbon neutral biogas rather than natural gas for heating purposes.
This change, in itself, will reduce our carbon footprint by circa 40%. In addition, initiatives are ongoing to address other aspects of the carbon footprint including reducing our use of paper and undertaking a review of vehicle provision and use within the organisation.
It is acknowledged that there will remain a residual carbon cost of the Institute’s activities. In order to mitigate this, the Council of the Institute approved the payment of annual donations, equivalent to the calculated residual carbon cost, to two organisations undertaking climate education work in Scotland.
These donations are not made under an accredited carbon offset scheme and therefore the Institute cannot be certified 'Carbon Neutral'.
However, it is our hope that the measures already taken, those currently planned and the donations made will take us to that position in all but name.