This Annual Report is generated by the ISKL Green Team as a reflection on the year as it pertains to environmental education and literacy. It is presented to the Director of the School and Administrative Council as a component of the on-going evaluation of environmental and sustainable practices.
The format follows that of the document “Bold Thoughts: Toward an Environmental Ethos at ISKL”, presented in May, 2008 to the Administrative Council as a blueprint for future direction.
Written Documentation
· Green Team recommendation to take part in the Green Schools Alliance Climate Commitment as a “Climate Steward” (committing to a reduction in carbon emissions over the next five years). (www.greenschoolsalliance.org)
· Director’s explicit statements regarding environmental practices in school-wide communication.
· Creation of Green Space blog at http://sustainableiskl.blogspot.com which was linked to the ISKL website.
· New ISKL vision statement introduced which explicitly includes the “environment”.
· New ISKL SLR introduced involving “living ethically”.
Curriculum
· Student-based projects have taken place this year involving:
o Reduction in water bottle usage
o Reuse of plastic containers at Connie’s
o Thermostats set to 22 degrees Celsius
o Composting pilot program
· Global Issues club and classes participated in Earth Week Eco Expo and Orangutan Rock.
· Earth Week 2009 included 12 outside organizations visiting ISKL, two visitng speakers, community events and Orangutan Rock events that generated funding of over RM 25,000 for Orangutan Appeal UK.
· Introduction of Global Issues Courses at the MS level.
· Plans to establish a Global Issues course requirement for students starting in 2009-2010.
· Proposal (pending) to introduce a Sustainable Future course at the HS, proposed to begin in 2010-2011.
· Introduction of HS Geography course which includes issues of environmental sustainability.
· Increase in experiential learning opportunities for 7th grade science curriculum.
o Forest Research Institute of
· Grade 1 initiated two new units:
o “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” with culminating Earth Week assembly.
o “Field to table” focusing on environmental impact of food choices.
· Tree-Planting stewardship program initiated with Global Environment Centre with an optional participation of ISKL students in two tree-planting expeditions, totalling over 100 trees.
· Introduction of environmental components to the newly established Global Action Program at the HS. Environmentally-oriented trip options include:
o Bali: Adventure and Art on the
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o MESCOT reforestation program in
ISKL as a “living, carbon-neutral campus”
· Using The Carbon Neutral Company website (www.carbonneutral.com) a baseline carbon assessment of ISKL was made. Results indicate that operations at ISKL have resulted in the following carbon emissions:
o Premises Total: 1,788.48 tCO2
o Company vehicles total: 30.19 tCO2
o Business Travel total: 46.33 tCO2
o TOTAL: 2,063.47 tCO2
· ISKL has hired a new gardening/landscaping contractor
· ISKL has hired a new cleaning company, using more non-toxic, environmentally appropriate cleaning products.
· Development of monthly reports and displays relating to energy usage and photocopying.
· Energy audit by outside consultant to determine ways to reduce energy use.
· Set up of in-class thermostats is all classrooms.
· Technology Department plans to re-use computers that will be replaced across the school. Recipients have not yet been identified.
· Using the Energy Star website (www.energystar.gov) we developed a baseline assessment of energy use at ISKL Ampang campus. Results indicate that ISKL Ampang campus has reduced annual energy use by 1.1 % in the period going back 12 months from April 2009 in comparison to the previous 12 months.
· Discussions regarding ensuring the use of environmental best-practices in determining what/where/how to build a new campus.
Financial Support
· The Green Team has generated funding from PTA Grants for the development of a composting system at ISKL
o RM 5400 has been established for the purchase of chippers and composting bins.
· The Green team Grant Program provides funding (up to RM 1,000) to school groups who need funding for on-going, self-sustaining, environmentally-appropriate programs or activities.
· Conversations have been broad for the development of a full-time Environmental Coordinator at ISKL.
· Environmental Coordinator Position job description has been created (currently in draft form) and presented to the Administrative Council and SILC Board Committee.
· Funding has been ear-marked for an environmental coordinator to begin in 2010-2011
Behaviors & Practices
· Online survey completed by staff members regarding their perceptions of environmental needs at ISKL.
· Draft of “Looking Forward” plan developed for consideration in 2009-2010.
· Administrative decisions include the elimination of commercial water bottles and the provision of healthier food service options.
· Positive steps forward have been made in terms of economic benefits of environmentally-appropriate practices.
· Established environmental component to be part of ISKL’s overall annual report to the community.
· Further measures need to be established.
· Establishment of water stations in both Ampang and Melawati campuses in lieu of commercial water bottle use.
· Posting of energy usage advertised around school.
· Establishment of the Green Team Environmental Ethos Award, given annually (only if appropriate) to deserving students in the MS and HS.
· Discussions regarding financial incentives to participate in environmentally-appropriate behaviors.
