Hastings School  has recently become the first carbon-neutral school in Madrid. We are committed to a comprehensive sustainability strategy, and this achievement highlights the efforts that have been made to change the culture and reduce the school’s carbon footprint overall. 

Hastings School has been working, since the 2020/21 academic year, to effect sustainability action in their school community via a comprehensive whole school sustainability programme.    

Sustainability is a key strategic priority for the school.  There is a clear annual sustainability action plan, overseen by the Sustainability Leadership Team which includes representation from the schools’ leadership, operations teams, students and teaching staff.   

Hastings School has been measuring its carbon footprint, since the 2020/21 academic year, under the Climate Neutral Now initiativee of the UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change), the UN entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. 

The school has implemented a range of actions, to actively measure and reduce the key areas of its footprint, including, but not limited to: 

  • Reducing electricity consumption – including the installation of solar panels on 4 buildings, student led campaigns to save electricity (e.g. race to zero).  Significant reduction in electricity consumption 23/24 vs 22/23 
  • Reducing ‘foodprint’ – improving plant-based menu option to encourage vegetarian/vegan choices (increased from 3-6% in 23/24); raising awareness of healthy & sustainable food choices (e.g. sustainable recipe competition) 
  • Reducing food waste – weighing food waste/inter-class competitions 
  • Reducing emissions from transport – reducing the number of overseas residential trips, reducing the number of shuttle busses from 3 to 2 in 23/2 
  • Carbon offsetting its unavoidable emissions through a partnership with Ripple Africa and a specific project to build fuel efficient cook stoves.  

These specific actions are complemented by student-led assemblies and school communications to raise awareness and encourage sustainable behaviours and build a culture of sustainability in the community.  

 Congratulations to all the Hastings Community.