AC Group Education is committed to making proportionate, meaningful improvements rather than making environmental claims that cannot be demonstrated. As our organisation grows and our environmental data improves, our commitments and targets will develop alongside it.

Environmental Sustainability, Biodiversity & Climate Change Policy

AC Group Education is committed to reducing its environmental impact and considering sustainability across the way we work.

Our Environmental Sustainability, Biodiversity & Climate Change Policy sets out our approach to responsible travel, digital working, waste and resource use, sustainable purchasing, biodiversity, carbon reduction and continuous environmental improvement.

Organisation: AC Group (Education) Ltd
Version: 1.0
Effective From: 1 September 2026
Approved by Management: 14 September 2026
Review Date: 1 September 2027

Our Commitment

AC Group Education recognises that organisations of all sizes have a responsibility to understand and reduce their impact on the environment.

We are committed to operating in an environmentally responsible way, reducing avoidable carbon emissions and waste, using resources carefully, supporting biodiversity and considering sustainability when making operational and purchasing decisions.

As a community-based education provider, our environmental impact is different from that of a large site-based organisation. A significant area in which we can make a difference is how we plan and undertake travel, how we use digital systems and resources, and how we make day-to-day purchasing and delivery decisions.

We will take a practical and proportionate approach, focusing on actions that are relevant to our organisation and that can be monitored and improved as AC Group Education grows.

Scope

This policy applies to AC Group Education's operations and to staff, practitioners and others working on behalf of the organisation.

Environmental considerations will be incorporated into operational planning, service delivery, purchasing and organisational development wherever reasonably practicable.

The safety, welfare and individual needs of children and young people will always remain our primary consideration when determining how provision is delivered.

Travel and Transport

Travel is one of the main environmental impacts associated with our community-based model.

We will aim to reduce unnecessary vehicle journeys by planning staff travel efficiently and, where practicable, coordinating provision geographically.

When working with children and young people in the community, walking or public transport may be considered where this is appropriate to the activity, the young person's individual needs and risk assessment, and can be undertaken safely.

We will use telephone, video conferencing and other remote communication for meetings where physical attendance is not necessary or does not add value.

AC Group Education will begin monitoring relevant business mileage and travel information so that we can better understand our environmental impact and identify realistic opportunities for future carbon reduction.

Digital Working and Reducing Paper Use

AC Group Education operates a digital-first approach wherever this is appropriate and secure.

Our online Staff Hub supports access to organisational information, guidance, resources and internal processes without relying unnecessarily on printed documentation.

Electronic communication, digital records and digital learning resources will be used where suitable, while recognising that some learners may require or benefit from physical resources.

Where printing is necessary, staff are encouraged to avoid unnecessary printing and use resources efficiently.

Responsible Use of Resources and Waste

We aim to minimise waste and make responsible use of the resources required to deliver our services.

Equipment, educational resources and materials will be reused where they remain safe and suitable. Recycling facilities will be used where available, and unnecessary single-use items will be avoided where practical.

Purchasing decisions will consider quality, durability, value for money and environmental impact where reasonably practicable.

Sustainable and Local Procurement

When purchasing goods or services, AC Group Education will consider opportunities to use suitable local suppliers where this represents appropriate quality and value.

Using local suppliers can support the communities in which we work while potentially reducing unnecessary transportation and associated emissions.

Where suitable alternatives are available, environmental considerations such as durability, packaging, reusability, waste and responsible sourcing may form part of purchasing decisions.

Environmental considerations will be proportionate to the nature and value of the purchase.

Biodiversity and the Natural Environment

AC Group Education recognises the importance of protecting the natural environment and biodiversity.

Because our provision frequently takes place within local communities, learners may access parks, woodland, green spaces and other outdoor environments as part of suitable educational, mentoring, wellbeing or life-skills activities.

Where these environments are used, staff and learners are expected to treat them responsibly, minimise disturbance, dispose of waste appropriately and respect wildlife, plants and habitats.

Where appropriate to an individual learner's programme, activities may also provide opportunities to develop awareness of the natural environment, sustainability and responsible participation within the community.

AC Group Education will not undertake activities that knowingly cause unnecessary damage to habitats or the natural environment.

Climate Change and Carbon Reduction

AC Group Education supports the wider transition towards a lower-carbon economy and recognises the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Our immediate priority is to understand the environmental impact arising from the areas over which we have the greatest influence, particularly business travel, purchasing, resource use and working practices.

During 2026–27 we will develop better baseline information about these activities. This will allow future carbon-reduction objectives to be based on meaningful evidence rather than unsupported estimates.

As our organisation develops, we will review whether additional carbon measurement, reporting or formal carbon-reduction targets are appropriate.

Working With Children, Young People and Communities

Environmental sustainability should complement, rather than restrict, our core purpose of supporting children and young people.

Community-based learning can provide opportunities for young people to build independence, understand their local area and engage positively with parks, public spaces and the natural environment.

Where relevant to a learner's interests, needs or educational programme, practitioners may incorporate appropriate environmental, nature-based or sustainability-related activities into provision.

Staff Responsibilities

Everyone working on behalf of AC Group Education has a role in supporting this policy.

Staff are expected to consider environmental impact when making reasonable day-to-day decisions relating to travel, resources, waste and purchasing, while continuing to prioritise safeguarding, individual learner needs and effective service delivery.

Management is responsible for overseeing this policy, monitoring progress against our environmental action plan and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

AC Group Education recognises that environmental responsibility is an ongoing process.

Our environmental actions will be reviewed by management at least annually. The review will consider available information relating to travel, resource use, purchasing and environmental initiatives and will identify practical opportunities for further improvement.

As reliable baseline information becomes available, we will consider introducing measurable carbon-reduction objectives and expanding our environmental reporting.

We will update this policy where there are significant changes to our operations, relevant legislation, commissioning requirements or recognised environmental good practice.

AC Group Education is committed to making proportionate, meaningful improvements rather than making environmental claims that cannot be demonstrated. As our organisation grows and our environmental data improves, our commitments and targets will develop alongside it.