Sustainability

Our vision

At Bradford College, we are committed to creating a sustainable future for our students, staff, and the wider community. We recognise the critical role we play in addressing the climate challenges ahead. Our goal at Bradford College is to take strategic steps towards the target of achieving net zero status by 2050.

To implement our vision to create a better future for all and achieve our mission of working together to transform lives; sustainability is of paramount importance.

Our actions within College prepare our learners to be responsible global citizens; by integrating sustainable practices into all areas.

Embracing sustainability helps our reputation so that we can attract environmentally conscious students and staff.

Education has a critical role in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the value the interlinked objectives brings to governments, business and wider society.   

We are primarily focused on Goal 4: Ensuring an inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, with 10 objectives to be achieved by 2030. 

Estates

• Bradford College is based over 7 sites. The Estates Plan outlines which buildings are to be sold, demolished, refurbished or replaced with new buildings to ensure that facilities are fit for purpose; this will also lead to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the college overall, but the embodied carbon of the building works must also be factored into the final calculations.
• Our Heat Decarbonisation Plan is a strategy to reduce the carbon emissions produced by heating systems. It focuses on finding ways to make heating more environmentally friendly, often by shifting away from fossil fuels (like gas or oil) to cleaner energy sources, such as electricity from renewable sources, heat pumps, or other low-carbon technologies.
• Efforts in lighting optimization, including sensor-based systems and LED replacements at Trinity Green, showcase cost-efficient measures resulting in significant carbon savings and estimated long-term financial benefits.
• Staff Travel: A limited number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points are available for staff to use, free of charge. The College is hoping to increase the number of EV charge points in the future at DHB, Lister and Trinity Green.
• Transport: A cycle to work scheme and discounted railcards encourage commuters to choose more sustainable options than driving.

Operations

• Initiatives like the introduction of water refill points, reusable bottle provision, and trials to reduce single-use plastic bottles underscore our ongoing commitment to curbing plastic waste. Reusable metal bottles are now provided for all staff and students and water refill stations are installed across campus, with monthly readings gathered manually.
• Recycling points are provided across campus
• Carbon Literacy Training was rolled out in 2024 to upskill staff across a range of departments on the impact of climate change, particularly focusing on carbon emissions and how personal and organizational actions contribute to global warming. The training provides knowledge on carbon footprints, sustainability, and practical steps people can take to reduce their environmental impact.
• Our reusable cup scheme allows staff and students to re-use their coffee cups across campus to get a 25p discount on hot drinks.

Engagement

• Staff are encouraged to sign up to the Planet Earth Games each year and take part in as many activities as possible, allowing the College to win in 2024.
• Responsible Futures – Bradford College is proud to be taking part in the Responsible Futures initiative, which aims to embed sustainability and social responsibility into the culture and operations of our College. The program encourages us to take a proactive role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and social justice, while fostering a sustainable and ethical environment both on and off campus.
• The Student Union is very active at encouraging students to undertake litter picks, recycling activities and upcycling skills.

Curriculum

• Green Skills – Designed and installed by The Quantum Group, our new Green Skills Centre positions us at the forefront of sustainable technology education and professional training.
• Three state-of-the-art solar power training bays give electrical students an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to install solar panels, fault finding panels, underground heating pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
• Every Level 2 construction student now completes a “Sustainability and Green Environment” module as part of their course to introduce them to the concepts of green energy.
• Our Electric Vehicle Training Provision aligns with the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the electric vehicle industry, contributing to a more sustainable transportation landscape:
• Between November 2022 – May 2023 we undertook a WYCC funded capital project to design, equip and pilot Level 1 and Level 3 EV training, which continues to be delivered at our Bowling Back Lane site.
• This specialist training equips learners with the technical knowledge required to safely diagnose, repair, and maintain electric vehicles.
• Sustainability Masterclasses are delivered as part of our Ambition Hub
• A computing refurbishment scheme provides a place for old IT equipment to be refurbished by students and then donated to LS2Y.