Sustainability – Decarbonising Education

I am the Sustainability Officer at MidKent College, where I lead the delivery of sustainability education and climate action across the institution. I work closely with staff and students across all curriculum areas, delivering workshops, training sessions and sustainability consultations that support the meaningful integration of sustainability and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into teaching, learning and college life.

With a background in Environmental Science (BSc) and Environmental Leadership and Management (MSc), my work focuses on helping learners understand how sustainability directly connects to their subjects, future careers and the wider green transition. I also support staff and departments to develop and deliver sustainability initiatives, ensuring transformative action is practical, relevant and accessible.

I also collaborate with external stakeholders including local councils and partners, contributing to wider sustainability initiatives and acting as a core stakeholder in local climate action planning. I believe true sustainability goes beyond environmental responsibility, encompassing social equity, economic resilience and long-term wellbeing for all

Richard Wilde is a Green Skills Project Manager at MidKent College, with over 20 years’ experience in Further Education, spanning military engineering training, curriculum development, and sustainable construction provision. 

His current work focuses on driving the integration of decarbonisation and sustainability within construction education, ensuring learners are equipped with the skills required for the transition to a net zero built environment. He has played an active role in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), supporting alignment between employer demand and green curriculum development.

Richard is passionate about advancing retrofit, renewables, and sustainable construction training, and works collaboratively with industry partners to respond to rapidly evolving sector requirements. His work reflects a strong commitment to supporting the construction industry’s need for new skills and leadership to deliver decarbonisation at scale.

Russell is a Quantity Surveyor with thirty years in managing Corporate Social Responsibility across various S.M.E. and FTSE 100 organisations. Expertise in energy, nature restoration, built environment, and supply chain management

He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (MIEMA) Lead auditor and implementation manager for ISO 14001(Environmental) & 50001(Energy), Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) Low Carbon Consultant, BRE CEEQUAL 6 Sustainable Infrastructure assessor World Resource Institute (W.R.I.), carbon accountant. Adopting the Global Protocols for Organisational and Community-scale greenhouse gas emission inventories. 

Specialist Project Manager, establishing carbon mitigation plans, climate resilience, renewable and energy efficiency projects for commercial buildings and district infrastructure.

Carbon and climate resilience plan – for 35 F.E. Colleges across the U.K.

Carbon and climate resilience plan – Raymond Brown Quarry products 

Design and PM of GCZero – Whole Building Energy Retrofit

EAUC SECR Compliance tool for Schools and Academy Trusts

Energy Retrofit and Carbon Reduction Plan - N.H.S. Property Services

Energy Retrofit and carbon reduction plan – Borders College Galashiels

False Creek Heat Pump District Energy – Vancouver, British Columbia

4th Gen Community Energy – Surrey Centre, British Columbia.