Eco-Schools
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eco-Schools is an international program of environmental and sustainable developmental education for schools. 
Contents |
[edit] 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 Nations 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 statement 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.
[edit] Links
Eco-Schools is a program of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) who are best know for the Blue Flag beach program. FEE is an international umbrella organisation with members in 38 countries covering Europe, North and South America, Africa and Oceania.
In England is administered by ENCAMS who run other environmental campaigns such as Keep Britain Tidy.
