A northeast independent school is targeting a net zero future and has commissioned a full carbon footprint of its campus and operations.

Robert Gordon’s College (RGC), an independent nursery, primary and secondary school in Aberdeen, has set its environmental goals and commissioned the carbon footprint ahead of its 275th anniversary next year.

The school is working with net zero consultancy Zero Matters to carry out the footprint, design a plan for reaching net zero and manage the school’s environmental transformation.

RGC leaders said they hope to announce the target date for reaching net zero in the next few months.

Robin Macpherson, Head of College, said that the school has always prided itself in "breaking new ground" since its founding to offer education to disadvantaged children.

“I can announce today that we are now on the journey to becoming a net zero school. This is both our obligation to society as we tackle climate change together, and in keeping with our proud history of offering our pupils and parents a school they can be proud of when they are with us, and for long after they leave us.

“Parents who choose to send their children to an independent school have many drivers. That includes academic, sporting and leadership considerations, of course, but increasingly they also want a school which understands and acts on the generational need to tackle climate change.

“We are working actively, now, on how to reduce our carbon emissions and continue to expand our public benefit, and we will soon be in a position to announce our net zero target year.”

The school’s new project has also attracted attention and praise from elected officials, who see RGC’s net zero push as part of a larger commitment by the government to make Scotland as a whole more sustainable.

Audrey Nicoll, MSP for the College’s sports site at Countesswells in the west of the city, said:

“I am delighted that Robert Gordon’s College has commissioned a carbon footprint in advance of the development of their net zero plan. This is a fantastic example of leadership on a vitally important issue, and I commend their commitment to playing their part in tackling our climate crisis”.

“I very much hope this work offers both staff, parents and pupils an opportunity to understand how we all have a role in reducing our carbon footprint, and indeed inform how the college’s net zero plan can support our collective effort to tackle climate change”.

A carbon footprint is a measurement of the environmental impact of an institution, organisation or individual. It measures the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted.

Schools are significant contributors to a national ambition

The school’s net zero target reflects a wider push by the Scottish Government to reach net zero, which has proven ambitious in its aims and tumultuous in its execution. The Scottish Government’s net zero roadmap included thresholds of reducing emissions by 51.1% (based on levels from 1990) by 2021, 75% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2045.

But the implementation has not matched the goal. Scotland missed nine of the last 13 annual emission reduction targets, and this Spring, the government announced that it would be scrapping the 2030 emissions goal and replacing the yearly targets with a system that checks progress every five years.

Highland and Moray pupils took on the role of political and industry leaders as they worked through some of today's most difficult climate questions at Mock COP28 in Inverness.Highland and Moray pupils took on the role of political and industry leaders as they worked through some of today's most difficult climate questions at Mock COP28 in Inverness. (Image: Alison White Photography)

RGC’s footprinting project is one of the first in the education sector, but it is part of a wider trend among private and state schools, colleges, and universities to improve sustainable education and operations.


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Kevin Stewart, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, said he was glad to see RGC "leading the way" with its sustainability targets and that schools take a leading role in fighting climate change.

“I applaud their plans for reaching net zero.

“Schools may not be the first thing that springs to mind when we talk about tackling climate change, but every sector has a part to play in reducing emissions, so it’s encouraging to see this proactive approach.

“I am sure pupils will be extremely proud to see their school making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, and I hope others are encouraged to follow suit.”