Success Story
Colchester Institute
Saving 47 tonnes of carbon every year - equivalent to 26% of energy used on-site.
The Challenge
Colchester Institute has always had an eye on the future, helping nurture the talent of tomorrow and accruing an impressive list of alumni that includes 2022 Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, artist Grayson Perry, vocal coach and choral director Mark DeLisser, and award-winning composer of film, television and video game music Richard Jacques.
When COVID-19 transformed the education landscape in 2020, the institute embarked on a period of re-evaluation that resulted in an ambitious ten-point plan to maximise the impact of its centres. Keen to fulfil its social and environmental responsibility and recognising its role as an influencer of young people and an agent of change, it chose to partner with Trident to:
- Lead the way as an education centre in accelerating its transition to net zero.
- Achieve a 50% cut in carbon emissions by 2030.
- Lower energy bill expenditure to free up funds for reinvestment across its colleges.
The Solution
As lockdown restrictions eased in August 2020, the institute began its net-zero journey by simplifying its SECR compliance processes and installing carbon accounting software to gain full visibility over its emissions. Following this it installed solar panels on its Braintree campus.
Alongside its carbon-reduction activities, the institute made use of several of our procurement services to lower its energy spend. First, it installed our bespoke energy and carbon reporting platform, Pulse. It then worked with us on risk management to strengthen its energy security, invoice validation to avoid any overcharges, and a framework to maximise its negotiating power with suppliers.
The Benefits
The Braintree campus solar panels generate 109,180 kWh of electricity and save 47 tonnes of carbon every year — the equivalent of 26% of the energy used on-site. By 2023 the institute had cut its total emissions by 15% and achieved the Bronze Future Net Zero standard. It also delivered on its purpose of driving awareness among young people by developing and implementing a carbon literacy programme for all its students.
In recognition of these efforts, Colchester Institute was declared the winner of the Environmental Awareness award at the Essex Countywide Business Awards.
Alice and the Trident team have proved to be an extremely supportive college partner in driving forward with our carbon reduction and sustainability initiatives. Once we established our baseline information in 2020, they've helped us take this further and develop our Future Net Zero action plan. Alice has helped us chart progress against this plan which is to achieve an initial 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.”
Gary Horne - Deputy Chief Executive
They've helped us take this further.”