In this week’s Sustainable Wednesday edition, we’re excited to highlight the remarkable journey of our partners at Green Standard Schools (GSS) as they celebrate their fourth anniversary. This milestone underscores the growing importance of environmental responsibility in language education worldwide.

What is Green Standard Schools?

Green Standard Schools is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting sustainability within the international language teaching sector. Their mission is twofold: to encourage language schools to reduce their environmental impact and to encourage sustainable education for students.

The GSS accreditation scheme

At the heart of their efforts is the innovative GSS accreditation scheme. This initiative serves multiple purposes:

• Raising awareness of eco-friendly practices that schools can adopt
• Establishing a benchmark for environmental standards in the sector
• Recognising and celebrating schools that meet high environmental criteria

In just four years, GSS has made significant strides. Not only have 31 schools across 11 countries become GSS members, but the association has built a large network of supporters worldwide, from association partners to social media advocates.

How you can support GSS

If you’re passionate about sustainability in education and want to show your support for GSS, there are several ways to do this. 

1. Spread the word among your friends and colleagues
2. Share GSS posts across your social media channels
3. Invite GSS to present at your next team meeting
4. For schools, consider becoming a GSS member

As we continue our Sustainable Wednesday series, we’re inspired by organisations like Green Standard Schools that are making a tangible difference in our industry. Their work reminds us that every step towards sustainability, no matter how small, contributes to a greener future for international education. 

Written by Stephanie Clark