We are a small organisation helping the UK education sector become more sustainable. Given we are encouraging others to take steps that aren’t always easy, we thought we should share the steps we have planned, as we are all in this transition together. 

Our key sources of carbon emissions are energy, finance, IT and travel.  

Like the schools participating in the SMS programme, this is not something we can achieve overnight but the whole team (and now you) know the direction in which SMS is headed. 

Energy

This is an important one for SMS given we spend so much time working from home. Not only do we want to minimise our carbon but we also want to keep bills down.  

Fortunately, there are lots of ideas we have shared as a team and we have all chosen the ones that work for us.  

It’s all about only using what we need and that can mean challenging old habits.  

Tips  

To cut carbon, look around for a renewable energy supplier (you can get them for both electricity and gas). There are lots of comparison sites – you’ll want to look at how green they are and of course how prices compare. These are some helpful sites to get you started: 

• energy-review.co.uk 

• moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cheap-green-energy 

• which.co.uk/reviews/energy-companies 

• uswitch.com/gas-electricity

It’s also about cutting the amount of energy we use (this also saves money).

Heating

Here are some steps the team has considered:

• reduce the thermostat temperature setting 

• turn down the settings on radiators in less-used rooms – corridors and halls don’t need to be so warm 

• close windows and doors when the heating is on 

• reduce heat leaks by making draft protectors from an old pair of trousers or buying window seals to close gaps (and stop any rattling) 

• prioritise heating the person rather than the room, so popping on an extra jumper, wearing thermal socks, standing up and get the blood moving every 30min, making a thermos full of tea/coffee 

• close curtains to retain heat in winter (and block excess heat on hot days) 

Electricity

The team’s top tips:

• properly switch off lights and appliances when not in use, watch out for vampire energy driving up bills unnecessarily 

• only run full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher 

• air dry to avoid the tumble dryer 

• smart cooking – batch cooking boosts your energy efficiency and conquers food waste 

Cooling

Ideas to try:

• open windows on different sides of the home to create a draft 

• cover the outside of sun-drenched windows with old sheets/pillowcases to stop the sun heating the glass and the inside of your home (there is special heat reflective film some team members think has been a game changer) 

• use a fan rather than air conditioning 

Discover even more tips here: 

• edfenergy.com/energywise

• energysavingtrust.org.uk

• britishgas.co.uk 

Finance

Where we all put our money really matters – whether it’s a current account, savings or a pension, we are making a choice to give our business to an organisation that is funding climate change or the solutions to it. To learn more check out this article.

Banking

As a new organisation SMS was really lucky not to have any legacy banking ties so we were able to immediately set up our banking arrangements with a “Top Pick” in the green banking league tables. 

These are handy links for understanding sustainability in banking:

• bank.green/sustainable-eco-banks 

• makemymoneymatter.co.uk

Pensions

As a new organisation we were able to invest SMS pensions with a top ranking pension provider in the Make My Money Matter pension league table (Feb25).

IT

Tech equipment, data storage, emails, online meetings, social media posts and so on all contribute to significant carbon footprints. By adding AI into the mix, IT carbon emissions multiply even more.  

Code of sustainable IT best practice

• Use an ethical search engine
  • We pledge to use Ecosia, a green search engine that donates all of its surplus income to conservation organisations that plant trees. Searches on Ecosia are powered by 100% renewable energy. 
• Encourage considered use of Al
  • Use standard search results rather than AI results. Limit the use of AI supported tasks where possible. 
• Hold online meetings rather than travel large distances for face-to-face meetings. 
• Use shared links to share files rather than sending attachments in emails
  • If sending, then consolidate files and use more efficient formats. For instance, compress images and videos. This can drastically reduce their file size without compromising quality, thereby requiring less energy for storage and transmission. 
• Use direct web navigation to avoid unnecessary web seaches
  • By bookmarking frequently visited websites to provide quick access will will reduce the need to perform redundant, more energy intense searches. 
• Use ad blockers
  • Ads not only slow down the browsing experience but also consume more energy by loading additional data. 
• Sustainable auto-signatures
  • We use our auto-signatures to promote individual sustainability goals. 
• Consider sustainable tech suppliers
  • Wherever possible we will use refurbished tech equipment to extend the lifespan of machines and use less resources  e.g. Recono.me

Travel

As a small organisation working mainly from home, with local travel to the schools we support or team meetings we have a low footprint for travel. However, as we encourage our school partners to use active travel choices we are committed to leading by example. 

What active travel means

Active travel refers to the modes of travel that involve a level of activity.

The benefits of active travel 

• Encouraging a move to walking, wheeling and cycling is one of the cheapest ways of reducing transport emissions. 

• Walking and cycling can decrease congestion on the roads, reduce air pollution and cut and noise pollution. These reductions are linked to health and economic benefits. 

• Walking, wheeling and cycling are the least carbon-intensive ways to travel. 

Sustainable travel policy

• Whenever possible, SMS will use the lowest carbon travel options as our first choice to get around i.e. bikes and walking.
• When active travel is not possible, SMS will choose public transport i.e. buses, trains, tube or tram.
• SMS will only drive when absolutely necessary. Ideally this is a rare occurrence, but we understand there are some instances where this is needed such as for transporting materials or for emotional/mental wellbeing purposes as part of a disability or sensory need.  
• SMS will trust employees to make the most appropriate decisions for themselves within the guidance of our sustainable travel policy.  

We are always aiming to do better and value expertise and constructive feedback. So please get in touch with any ideas that can help us do better.