YEA Green Pledge Scheme

In December 2006 over 24,000 young people in Essex elected the 75 members of the Young Essex Assembly. As with the latest election, a survey was also carried out asking young people what was important to them. The survey received over 16,000 responses and the data collected showed that the environment was a very important issue.

The Young Essex Assembly launched a scheme to raise awareness and to improve the environmental status of schools, colleges and youth clubs. The scheme is called the Green Pledge and is a manageable, achievable and sustainable set of guidelines for establishments to sign up to.

The Green Pledge

We would like schools / organisations to:

1.  Set up an Environment committee or appoint Eco-Champion(s)The committee/champions would become part of a county wide scheme with a meeting/ training once or twice a year.

2.  Recycle paper / plastics / cans/ food waste

3.  Wherever possible re-use items such as waste paper, refilling ink cartridges etc.

4.  Make use of natural daylight rather than always using lights.

5.  Use of energy saving light bulbs wherever possible. 

6.  Use central heating, air conditioners only when necessary.

7.  Turn off electrical equipment over night, do not leave on stand by.

8.  Offer parents etc the option of receiving communications via email rather than letter.

9.  Provide encouragement for people to walk / cycle and provide safe storage for bikes.

10.  Make use of alternative energy sources

The idea of the scheme is that schools and youth provisions are awarded Green Stars for completing steps of the Pledge.

Since the launch of The Green Pledge on February 7^th2008, over 100 schools and organisations in Essex have signed up to participate, with one school already having reached their 5 star status.

If you would like to sign up to the Green Pledge or be involved in the running of the scheme, please contact the Involvement Team on 01206 762923 or email YEA@essex.gov.uk.