Green Initiatives
Sustainability Statement
CIS Abroad is dedicated to promoting and enacting sustainability initiatives. We believe that by doing our part in educating our participants and employees on green measures we can help keep the Earth around us clean. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that CIS Abroad has formed a sustainability committee known as “Green Flags.” We are joining many other organizations in the education abroad field who are working to prioritize sustainability and climate action in our operations and programming abroad. Learn more about it here!
Sustainability Built in Local Life
When planning activities and excursions the London team always has the environment and sustainability in their minds. From using energy efficient public transportation options or walking to reminding students to bring their water bottles and reusable coffee cups and ensuring that leftovers from our lunches and dinners do not go to waste, we do our best to pursue sustainability in all that we do.
There is an increasing need to promote a more sustainable way of living as an alternative to the widespread capitalist lifestyle of the city and when possible we have given students the opportunity to be immersed in nature or learn about green initiatives in and outside London.
Previous examples of green activities organized in London:
1. In 2017 we arranged to take a group to a farm and dog rescue center in Surrey where students had the opportunity to learn how the farm and the center were run.
2. In 2018 we took groups on countryside walks with a professional guide who taught the students about plants and the local area.
3. In 2020 we organized an outing at a city farm (Stepney City Farm) in which students could see where food is grown for the local community and could try the fresh products grown in the farm at their cafe.
4. Currently we include int the Local Life (Spring semester) an activity at the Kew Botanical Gardens in which we show students one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in London which is often overlooked by visitors and help our groups immerse in nature and learn more about plants.
Living Green
Recycling
Around 7m tons of waste is produced each year from London homes, public buildings and businesses. London is working toward turning the city into a zero waste city. By 2026 no biodegradable or recyclable waste will be sent to landfill, and by 2030, 65 percent of London’s municipal waste will be recycled.
Public Transportation
By 2041, the London Mayor aims for 80 per cent of all Londoners’ trips to be made by foot, by cycle, or by public transport. The Mayor is also working to ensure London’s entire transport system is zero emission by 2050.
TfL will deliver their approach following wide-spread public consultation and building on the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone and the Toxicity Charge (T-Charge). This includes delivering central London and town centre zero emission zones from 2025, creating a zero emission zone in inner London by 2040 and a London-wide zone by 2050.
From this year (2024), all new double-deck buses will be hybrid, electric or hydrogen to focus on only buying the greenest, cleanest buses. By 2037 at the latest, all 9,200 buses across London will be zero emission.
Water Consumption
Water is vital to our quality of life – too much of it and we can experience flooding, too little of it and we can be in drought. In London we use more than 2.6 billion litres of the stuff every day – that’s enough water to fill the Royal Albert Hall 26 times every day.
But we live in the driest part of the country, where there are also the most people. Therefore, water companies that supply our water work to ensure that we use the water we have wisely, that we plan for future challenges and that our water bills are affordable.
Please be mindful of the length of time you take a shower. When you are out and about, carry a reusable water bottle with you. Tap water is drinkable all over London and you can refill your water bottle at one of the many water fountains you see around the city.
Green Campus
Roehampton University
University Roehampton University is committed to ensuring they are as environmentally sustainable as they can be themselves, but also by driving change and awareness through the education they provide, the research the staff undertake, and in how they manage the estate and procure and deliver their services.
As London's campus university, they are fortunate to have 54 acres of parkland campus to work, study, live on and enjoy.
Roehampton Facts
- 581kg of produce grown on campus in 2021/2022- 1331 eggs laid by our campus chickens in 2021/2022
- 7500 meals produced from produce grown on campus in 2021/2022
- 783 total hours spent by volunteers across all Growhampton initiatives in 2021/2022
- 14,000 lightbulbs have been replaced with LED and motion and daylight controls
- 508 m2 of solar electricity panels installed on University buildings
- 1750 thermostatic radiator valves installed.
Westminster University
Westminster University is committed to being progressive, compassionate and responsible to help students and colleagues from different backgrounds fulfill their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
The university adopts the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework to support its core mission and to record, measure and improve its contribution to a range of social, environmental and economic outcomes.
Westminster Facts
1. Water
To monitor and measure the use of water, the University has installed automatic meter reading devices on the water meters at Marylebone Campus and Alexander Fleming Hall. This allows the University to track water consumption in real-time via a live digital portal and compare water use over various durations. The aim is to install a device on each water meter across all campuses.
2. Energy
The University has procured 100% renewable electricity from the grid for nine consecutive years. A new combined solar photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal system was installed at Harrow Halls in 2021, providing self-generated solar electricity and heating. The estimated carbon saving is 40 tonnes of carbon per annum. The University will be rolling out PV installations at other campus sites.
3. Waste
The University is committed to reducing waste as detailed in its Waste Management Policy, published in 2021. The university encourages re-use and recycling wherever possible and adhere to our legal 'Duty of Care' obligations as dictated by the Waste Hierarchy. In 2023, the University prioritized waste reduction and aimed to achieve a 99% diversion from landfill.
4. Sustainable Kitchens
The university works closely with catering partner, Aramark, to integrate its sustainable ethos into all kitchen and catering facilities. In June 2023, the university achieved the Food for Life Served Here Bronze Accreditation, in partnership with the Soil Association. The caterers the university works with have also partnered with TooGoodToGo with the aim of reducing food waste across campuses.
If you're a student or member of staff, you can also help to support the University's sustainable development mission. Do you have a great idea that could assist the university in further embedding sustainability into teaching, research and operations? Email sustainability@westminster.ac.uk.
Students can also get involved with the Architecture and Cities Climate Action Taskforce (ArCCAT) (ArCCAT | Open Studio Westminster), a joint student and staff initiative within the School of Architecture and Cities tackling issues relating to climate change specific to the School.
To join an existing sustainability-related society or start your own, check out the Students' Union webpage.
Local Initiatives