Eco-Schools
Encyclopedia
Eco-Schools is an international program of environmental and sustainable developmental education for schools. Foundation for Environmental Education
(FEE) is the founder of the programme and Eco-Schools is just one out of their five programmes.
It is a management and certification programme where students are involved in the decision-making process and activities.
The aim of Eco-Schools is to raise students’ awareness of sustainable development issues thought classroom study and community action.
Primary and Secondary ((schools)) around the UK are taking part.
The themes that the students can involve in are:, Water, Waste/Litter, Energy, Nature and Biodiversity, School Grounds, Transport/Sustainable Mobility, Healthy Living, Noise, Local Agenda 21 and Climate Change.
By March 2010, the programme was implemented in 47 countries, involving 32 000 schools.
Step 1 Establishment of the Eco-schools Committee
Step 2 Environmental review
Step 3 Action Plan
Step 4 Monitoring and Evaluation
Step 5 Curriculum Linking
Step 6 Informing and involving the wider community
Step 7 Eco-Code
Conference on Environment and Development of 1992.The Eco-Schools Programme aims to raise students’ awareness of environmental and related sustainable development issues through classroom study together with school and community action, and provides an integrated system for environmental management of schools based on an ISO 14001/EMAS
approach.
In the UK, there are 3 levels of award.
In the UK applications both for the Bronze and Silver awards are self assessed by the school against a given set of criteria. The Green Flag award however is examined by external assessors.
The Eco-Schools Green Flag, awarded to schools with high achievement in their programme, is a recognised and respected eco-label for environmental education and performance.
After these processes are complete the school can apply for one of the awards mentioned above dependent on the level of environmental progress made.
was granted official Eco-School host status for K-12 schools in the United States. NWF was chosen for its work to promote environmental education, connect people with nature and raise awareness about the threat to people and wildlife from global warming.
Starting in September 2009, the National Wildlife Federation was expected begin registering public and charter schools across the U.S. as a part of the Eco-Schools USA programme.
program. FEE is an international umbrella organisation with members in 43 countries covering Europe, North and South America, Africa and Oceania.
In England and Northern Ireland, the programme is administered by ENCAMS who run other environmental campaigns such as Keep Britain Tidy
. In Scotland, the programme is run by Keep Scotland Beautifulhttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org and in Wales by Keep Wales Tidyhttp://www.keepwalestidy.org.
Foundation for Environmental Education
The Foundation for Environmental Education is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education...
(FEE) is the founder of the programme and Eco-Schools is just one out of their five programmes.
It is a management and certification programme where students are involved in the decision-making process and activities.
The aim of Eco-Schools is to raise students’ awareness of sustainable development issues thought classroom study and community action.
Primary and Secondary ((schools)) around the UK are taking part.
The themes that the students can involve in are:, Water, Waste/Litter, Energy, Nature and Biodiversity, School Grounds, Transport/Sustainable Mobility, Healthy Living, Noise, Local Agenda 21 and Climate Change.
By March 2010, the programme was implemented in 47 countries, involving 32 000 schools.
Methodology
The programme’s methodology consists of seven steps that the school needs to adopt as a methodology.Step 1 Establishment of the Eco-schools Committee
Step 2 Environmental review
Step 3 Action Plan
Step 4 Monitoring and Evaluation
Step 5 Curriculum Linking
Step 6 Informing and involving the wider community
Step 7 Eco-Code
Eco-Schools Partners and Sponsors
- United Nations Environment Program
- The North-South CentreNorth-South CentreThe North–South Centre, officially named the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, is an autonomous agency — called a Partial Agreement — of the Council of Europe, the oldest political organisation of European states.-History:...
(of the Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
).
- FEE Portugal
- HSBCHSBCHSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
Global Education Programme
- European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
- Toyota Fund for Europe
Global Forest Fund
Eco-Schools compensates for their CO2 emissions from their flight travels when they go to for example conferences and national operator meetings. The compensation fund is distributed to projects involving children in tree planting activities.Beginnings
The program was developed in 1994 in response to the need to involve young people in environmental projects at the local level as identified at the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Conference on Environment and Development of 1992.The Eco-Schools Programme aims to raise students’ awareness of environmental and related sustainable development issues through classroom study together with school and community action, and provides an integrated system for environmental management of schools based on an ISO 14001/EMAS
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is a voluntary environmental management instrument, which was developed in 1993 by the European Commission. It enables organisations to assess, manage and continuously improve their environmental performance. The scheme is globally applicable and open to all...
approach.
Participation and awards
Any school may participate in the scheme by registering with the administering body for their region. Once registered each school must review and improve their impact on the environment and in recognition of their commitment and progress they can then apply for an award.In the UK, there are 3 levels of award.
- Bronze
- Silver
- Green Flag
In the UK applications both for the Bronze and Silver awards are self assessed by the school against a given set of criteria. The Green Flag award however is examined by external assessors.
The Eco-Schools Green Flag, awarded to schools with high achievement in their programme, is a recognised and respected eco-label for environmental education and performance.
Process
To qualify for an award the school must follow the following program- Register - usually done by an adult (teacher or parent).
- Action team - a group of pupils and adults - some elected by their peers are assembled to manage the process.
- Environmental Review - the Action Team must organise the school to carry out a review of the schools energy and water usage, waste production and state of the school grounds with respect to litter.
- Action Plan- formed from issues identified by the review
- Eco-code - the Action Team, with the participation of the whole school must develop a mission statementMission statementA mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
to be prominently advertised inside and outside the school. - Take Action - demonstrable progress must be made 3 areas of the program.
- Monitor and Review - the Action team must record and analyse the progress made
After these processes are complete the school can apply for one of the awards mentioned above dependent on the level of environmental progress made.
Representation in the United States
In the fall of 2008, the National Wildlife FederationNational Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
was granted official Eco-School host status for K-12 schools in the United States. NWF was chosen for its work to promote environmental education, connect people with nature and raise awareness about the threat to people and wildlife from global warming.
Starting in September 2009, the National Wildlife Federation was expected begin registering public and charter schools across the U.S. as a part of the Eco-Schools USA programme.
Links
Eco-Schools is a programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), who are best known for the Blue Flag beachBlue Flag beach
The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe,...
program. FEE is an international umbrella organisation with members in 43 countries covering Europe, North and South America, Africa and Oceania.
In England and Northern Ireland, the programme is administered by ENCAMS who run other environmental campaigns such as Keep Britain Tidy
Keep Britain Tidy
Keep Britain Tidy is a British campaign run by the Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity, which is part funded by the UK government. The majority of their campaigning is around the issue of litter. They have been using "Keep Britain Tidy" as their slogan for almost fifty years...
. In Scotland, the programme is run by Keep Scotland Beautifulhttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org and in Wales by Keep Wales Tidyhttp://www.keepwalestidy.org.
See also
- Environmental groups and resources serving K–12 schoolsEnvironmental groups and resources serving K–12 schoolsThis article includes information about environmental groups and resources that serve K–12 schools in the United States and internationally...
includes other groups that are similar to Eco-Schools.
External links
- Main international Eco-Schools website
- Eco-Schools USA homepage
- English Eco-Schools homepage
- Scottish Eco-Schools homepage
- Welsh Eco-Schools homepage
- Eco-Escolas — Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa, Portugal