APPENDIX 62
Memorandum from Glenn Strachan GES Earth
I have worked in ESD in schools, colleges and
with the general public and I currently act as a consultant on
education projects in the formal education sector and in the business
sector.
RESPONSES TO
THE QUESTIONS
ON THE
WEBSITE FOR
WHICH YOU
ARE SEEKING
VIEWS
1. The current level of engagement and understanding
is an obstacle to the Government's progress on its sustainable
development agenda. There is evidence to show that large sections
of the public have an awareness and concern about the issues,
but this is not reflected in people's actions. The MORI 1998 "Top
of the mind" survey illustrates public concern, and research
carried out by Rockware Glass and Leeds University demonstrates
how people claim to recycle but do not actually do it. Most people
only take action when they perceive an immediate benefit to themselves
or their families. Generally people still fail to connect individual
actions to the wider situation and fail to appreciate how the
wider situation affects the individual.
2. There is a need for additional infrastructure
to support a coherent national strategy if there is to be significant
progress on education for sustainable development. There are many
excellent examples of ESD, but they are individual projects and
there is a lack of national coordination and leadership with sufficient
resource to deliver significant results. Many of the good examples
are funded by DFID (eg Just Business and the regional projects
to bring a global perspective to the curriculum in schools) and
by DEFRA (eg PP4SD—Professional Practice for Sustainable
Development, supported by the EAF). The DFES has been lacking
in leadership and innovation with regard to ESD.
In the first quarter of 2002 I led a research
project into implementing ESD across both public and private sectors
in the Yorkshire and Humber Region, the operational plan that
I produced as a result of the research is attached. The Region
reflects a similar situation to the UK nationally. Many good examples
of ESD happen in isolation, the single most important action to
move the agenda forward in the short term is to communicate and
coordinate existing activity, this would result in a much larger
impact from the existing resources. This then needs to be supported
by additional resources and infrastructure in the medium term.
3. There seems to be limited evaluations
of campaigns aimed at the public. I believe a coordinated approach
is required through a range of mass-media and through the increasing
number of visitor centres that are addressing issues of sustainability.
What would really make a difference would be the potential for
individual benefits either by incentives to take action or penalties
for not taking action, but this would be an extremely sensitive
issue politically.
Many of the campaigns in the formal education
sector are very dependent on the teachers that are involved in
taking responsibility for implementing the campaigns in the schools
and colleges. Eco Schools has an excellent whole school approach
and where it is implemented well by a school the results are far
reaching for the pupils, parents, staff and wider community.
4. Examples that might be considered good
practice: Eco Schools; the staff training programme at the Interface
Carpet Company; (see www.interfacesustainability.com ; the GLASSFOREVER
Programme for primary schools run by Rockware Glass Company (see
www.glassforever.com) and PP4SD, which promotes ESD through the
professional institutions (see www.ies-uk.org.uk).
A Government awareness campaign for ESD needs
to present the impacts of ecological decline on individuals, in
a similar style to the recent drink driving campaigns and balance
this with the enjoyable aspects of living a sustainable life-style.
February 2003
Memorandum from the Federation of Small
Businesses
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION AND
SMALL BUSINESSES
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomes
the opportunity of responding to the Environmental Audit Committee
inquiry on behalf of its 178,000 members. Although small businesses
are often involved in environmentally friendly practices, such
as recycling waste paper, sustainable development training is
not a priority for many.
Barriers that already exist for small businesses
undertaking training, are likely to be compounded with what is
often considered to be non-essential business issues. Some owners
may perceive a clash between business objectives and sustainable
development aims.
Take up of sustainable development training
Anecdotal evidence from business owners reveals
that at present awareness of sustainable development within the
small business community is not widespread, and training on such
matters in many sectors is non-existent.
The business case for sustainable development
is not widely understood, especially within the SME sector where
over 94% of business employ nine people or less. Many businesses
know little or nothing about sustainable development and fail
to see the relevance to their business. Small firms are more likely
to look at what sustainable development can offer their business,
as opposed to what their business can offer sustainability.
The FSB welcomes sustainable development initiatives
but feels that a great deal of work needs to be done to improve
greater take up within the small business sector. Small firms
will need to see clear evidence that adopting sustainable development
methods are cost effective and won't damage core business activities.
Barriers
The most significant barrier preventing small
firms undertaking training on sustainable development is the lack
of familiarity with the term itself. Few small businesses will
have a clear understanding of sustainable development, often perceiving
it as an environmental issue, and not as part of a thriving business.
Owners often do not consider environmental concerns
as fundamental to business success, and are unaware of what benefits
adopting sustainable development can bring to their business.
Use of jargon will be a serious obstacle for businesses if terms
are not clearly understood. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
is still not widely understood or known, and some firms confuse
this with sustainable development.
Lack of business engagement and understanding
is impeding the sustainable development agenda, especially when
coupled with the difficulties small firms already face when undertaking
training. The small business sector, particularly at the micro
level, is often not able to offer the same level of formal, qualification
led, training found in larger businesses due to time and financial
restraints, and thus is less likely to invest in sustainable development
training.
The FSB's "Lifting the Barriers to Growth
in UK Small Businesses 2002" reveals that respondents cited
time constraints (26%) and cost (18%) as the factors most inhibiting
to the uptake of training. Small firms are unlikely to invest
in training of any form unless there is clear evidence of the
value that can be added to the business. 69% of businesses within
the UK have no employees, thus anytime the sole trader spends
training is time where the business is not operating.
Inadequate resources also contribute to the
low business involvement in sustainable development training.
Provision of training support for business across the UK is often
lacking, thus constraining SME involvement. Methods for assessing
the progress made by firms implementing sustainable development
practices also do not seem to be in place. The tools to deliver
sustainable business practices are barely known, and information
and guidance avenues are inadequate. Funding sources for business
are often too complex and time consuming.
Changing Attitudes
To integrate sustainable development training
into the workplace, the government needs to develop the business
case more widely, clearly explaining the objectives and principles,
and promoting a simple, integrated public message.
By demonstrating how sustainable development
can fit readily into existing business structures, businesses
are more likely to understand the benefits of adopting these practices.
Sustainability advisers could be incorporated into the Business
Link one stop shop scheme, possibly visiting workplaces where
interest is shown.
Sustainable development training within small
firms can be increased through better funding streams—currently
provision is very limited. Incentives for business to undertake
training and manage the business more sustainably will also encourage
many to act differently.
The FSB welcomes the recognition by the Sustainable
Development Education Panel of the role informal learning can
play in raising awareness of sustainable development, and believes
this avenue should be explored more.
Informal learning is extensive and makes a major
contribution to personal development in small firms. A report
to be published soon by the FSB reveals that over two-thirds of
owner managers rely on informal training as a means of developing
their workforce. By using these existing training structures the
government could increase awareness of sustainable development
in the small business sector whilst avoiding further financial
burden.
16th April 2003
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