Across ISP’s schools in the Middle East, a new sustainability pilot is already having an impact—and helping students feel more hopeful about the future.
Launched in August 2024, the Whole School Sustainability (WSS) pilot set out to make sustainability part of everyday life. Instead of just talking about the environment in lessons, students were encouraged to lead real projects across their school communities—everything from running energy audits to raising awareness and making practical changes.
Clear results across our schools
The pilot led to a 17.8% reduction in emissions intensity—that’s the amount of carbon emissions produced per person in each school. We calculate this using real utility data (like electricity and gas), which is uploaded to a platform called Minimum. The emissions data is then divided by the number of students and staff in each building to show progress over time. When we compared the results from August–December 2024 with the same period in 2023, we saw just how much difference these collective efforts made.
One of the biggest factors behind the drop? A “summer shutdown” plan led by our school teams. Across campuses, staff and contractors worked together to reduce energy use while buildings weren’t in full operation:
- Chillers were powered down or adjusted
- Air conditioning set points were raised in empty areas
- Lights and electronics were switched off in unused zones
- Contractors worked in single locations to avoid extra cooling
The impact was real:
- 34% energy reduction at Star International School, Mirdif
- 16% at Star International School, Al Twar and Al Qusais
- 11% at Reach British School
We established a mindset of ‘every little thing matters,’ so everyone understood they can play a part in energy savings.”
— Debbie Rogers, Operations Manager, Star International School Abu Dhabi
Students saw their actions making a difference
We also asked students how they felt about climate change—and their ability to do something about it. At the start of the pilot, around 60% said they felt confident that their actions could make a difference. By the end, that number had risen to over 90%.
That shift matters. While we know climate anxiety is complex and takes time to address, this increase in self-belief shows how action leads to confidence. When students take part in something meaningful and see the results, they start to feel like they can shape what happens next.
What comes next
Later this month, we’ll be celebrating all that’s been achieved. Taking place at The English College Dubai on May 30 and Hamilton International School on May 31 we are holding a Class of Change 2025 event. This event will bring together students from across the Middle East to share their work, recognise their efforts, creativity and commitment, and reflect on the impact they’ve made.
The Middle East pilot is helping us shape the future of Whole School Sustainability across all ISP schools. We’re building a model that schools can make their own—one that supports learning, community action and climate literacy, all working together.
These first results show that small steps really do add up. When students take the lead and work together, schools become not just places to learn about change, but places where change happens.
