SUSTAINABILITY

"The Greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." – Robert Swan

"Our Sustainability Committee values our pivotal position as educators in encouraging our students to connect with the natural world around them. Connections foster a sense of care and responsibility and ultimately a drive to protect. Ensuring a community that is conscious about their actions underpins our agendas and actions. Small changes in our everyday lives can have a significant impact as a collective. What small change will you make today?" - Helen Milner, Sustainability Committee Chairperson

Sustainability | Swiss International Scientific School Dubai - 01 - Content Page Header

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). We support the teaching of the United Nations Sustainable development goals.

At SISD we understand that Educating for Sustainability (EfS) involves a deep understanding and awareness of the interconnectedness and dependency of our social, economic and environmental systems. SISD, therefore, employs a whole school approach to Educating for Sustainability. Sustainability concepts and key understandings are woven throughout the curriculum and reflected in our school’s day-to-day practices. We are members of the Eco-Schools Programme.

Our main objectives of a Whole School Approach to Educating for Sustainability:

Instill the knowledge, skills, attitudes, attributes, actions and enduring understandings of sustainability practices within the entire school community
Fully integrate the campus design, daily operations and local community into the curriculum and teaching and learning
Move SISD towards a Circular Economy model
The Ellen McArthur Foundation Circular Economy is used in the IB Curriculum.

We believe that social, cultural, economic and environmental awareness prepare us to play our part in shaping a better future for ourselves and those around us. SISD’s whole-school approach to sustainability can be seen in all facets of school life.

ENVIRONMENT

At SISD we foster a deep love and connection with nature and strive to restore the health of the living systems which we all depend on.

Water Use & Management – SISD prioritises water conservation throughout the school through water conservation technologies such as our Smixin taps and promoting conservation practices.
Land Use & Ecosystems – We work to increase natural green spaces and maintain healthy ecosystems around campus.
Waste & Recycling – All stakeholders work together to reduce waste throughout the school, minimise resource consumption and increase resource recovery rates. Our overall long-term goal is to reduce our waste to landfill by 75%. We reduce waste by using reusable dishes and cutlery during whole school events and classroom parties. We have filtered-water dispensers and we encourage our community members to bring their own bottles/cups. We collect compost and use it in our school garden.
Connection with Nature – We foster an experiential hands-on based learning process that ensures students engage with nature. We do this through planting and growing flowers and vegetables in our 30 raised garden beds in our Learning Gardens, our outdoor play spaces and by bringing plants and natural materials into the classrooms.

ECONOMY

We prioritise design thinking, systems thinking, and product life extension, focusing on reducing and recycling.

Resource Use – SISD’s purchasing and procurement policy sets clear standards and procedures for selecting sustainable and locally sourced products. Our Zero Waste Vendor Policy has been put into place to reduce items to landfill and increase reusability, recycling and compost.
Energy Use –SISD has installed various energy efficiency technologies and conserves energy through daily behavioral habits
Ethical Business Practices – SISD fosters a culture of ethical business practice in all school endeavors.
Investment in Green Technologies – SISD is committed to investing in materials with minimal environmental impact and that enhance social well-being.
Community Contributions – SISD supports the wider community through initiatives focused on social and environmental projects.

SOCIETY

At SISD we are inclusive and strive to create a strong social cohesion among our students, staff, teachers, parents, and the wider community.

Social Cohesion – We aim to build positive relationships within our diverse community.
Sense of Place & Belonging – SISD ensures that all students are engaged in the local environment, community, and school in a variety of ways that build a sense of place and belonging. SISD also strives to build understanding and empathy among teaching staff and students in the UAE.
Community Engagement & Partnerships – SISD develops relationships and partnerships with outside community stakeholders. We partnered with Give a Ghaf to plant 400 trees, Surge for water conservation education, and AzraqMe for marine conservation.
Service & Sustainability Action – SISD supports community projects across all levels and encourages the school community to act through service to others through a genuine sense of empathy and giving.
Cultural Preservation – SISD works to preserve individual and host country cultural identities, languages, and heritage through various celebrations and events.

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

ENVIRONMENT

ECONOMY

SOCIETY

LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES