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1. Introduction

The Teaching Council is the regulator of the teaching profession in Ireland. Our role is to protect the public by promoting and regulating professional standards in teaching.

We fulfill that role by carrying out functions as follows:

i. Maintaining a register of qualified and vetted teachers in Ireland. This ensures that teachers meet the necessary qualification, standards, competencies, and character requirements for registration.

ii. Establishing and upholding high standards for teachers in Ireland. The Council establishes standards across the entire career span for teachers including guidelines and codes related to their professional conduct, knowledge, skill, and competence.

iii. Ensuring the quality of initial teacher education programmes provided by higher education institutions in Ireland. This includes review and accreditation processes to maintain high standards of initial teacher education, which in turn contributes to the quality of teaching and learning in the country.

iv. Establishing standards to guide and support induction processes that are required on a statutory basis and promoting lifelong learning for registered teachers. This sets systematic benchmarks supporting the early stages of teacher’s career and encourages continuing professional learning throughout their career.

v. Commissioning and conducting research, using data and evidence to inform decision making and policy development. This provides evidence-based recommendations and contributes to discussions on educational policies, practices, and reforms, with the intention of ensuring high standards in the teaching profession.

The Public Sector Climate Action Mandate 2023 was approved by Government in May 2023. The Mandate required public sector bodies to show leadership in climate action by taking, and reporting on, the actions of the Mandate.

The roadmap has been informed by:

  • Feedback from the senior management team at a meeting on 9 April 2024.
  • Feedback from the Council’s Green Team at its meeting on 23 May 2024.
  • Feedback from the senior management team at a meeting on 7 June 2024.

2. Our People - Leadership and Governance

2.1 Senior management commitment

The Programme for Government commits to achieving a 51% reduction in Ireland’s overall emissions from 2021 to 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The public sector is playing a key leadership role in achieving these targets and The Public Sector Climate Action Mandate as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023 provides the climate action objectives for public bodies. The Teaching Council is fully committed to playing its part and to embedding climate action into our day-to-day work. Led by our Climate and Sustainability Champion, this Climate Action Roadmap 2024-2026 sets out our commitment to meeting our sustainability targets. It has been prepared in line with the Climate Action Plan 2023 and will be reviewed at least annually in line with the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate.

2.2 Nominated Climate and Sustainability Champion

The Climate and Sustainability Officer, Ruth Flynn, is a member of the Council’s Senior Management Team.

2.3 Green Team

The Council’s Climate Action Mandate Implementation Team, or ‘Green Team’ has seven members and is representative of all functional areas and grades within the organisation.

The Green Team has two fundamental objectives which tie in with the public sector leading by example:

i. to influence colleagues to commit to working and living sustainably.

ii. to influence decision making in the Council so that climate and environmental criteria are to the fore.

Terms of Reference for the Council’s Green Team were approved by the Senior Management Team in April 2024 (see Appendix 1), and a Green Team was established later that month, and held its first meeting on 23 May 2024. In accordance with its term of reference, the Green Team will compile an annual programme of activities, and report on its activities to the Senior Management Team on an annual basis.

3. Our People - Engaging our Staff

3.1 Staff training plans

A key area of work for the Green Team over the lifetime of this roadmap, in consultation with the Climate and Sustainability Champion and the Head of HR, will be to promote regular engagement by staff on climate and sustainability issues. This will be done through:

  • Inclusion of Climate and Sustainability content in staff newsletters, which are issued regularly to all staff by email (this will build on our established practice of issuing sustainability-themed emails to staff to mark World Earth Day annually).
  • Inviting an appropriate external speaker to present on Climate and Sustainability during at least one all-staff meeting annually.
  • Updating staff induction material to include content on Climate and Sustainability topics, highlighting staff responsibilities in this area.
  • Including questions in relation to sustainability in staff surveys to be issued to staff periodically as part of our commitment to being a Great Place to Work.

3.2 Senior Leadership training

  • We will ensure that all Senior Management will complete a climate action leadership training course in 2024.
  • We will update Council Member induction material to include content on Climate and Sustainability topics, highlighting their responsibilities in this area.

4. Our Targets

4.1 Sustainability and Energy Audit

We are committed to achieving an absolute energy consumption reduction each year, in line with the overall vision set out for the public sector in EU Directive 2023/1791. A carbon emissions audit and energy efficiency analysis will be carried out as part of the sustainability and energy audit which will be carried out in Q2 2024. This audit will:

  • assess our energy consumption patterns over the past 12 to 24 months.
  • help us to better understand the design and utilisation requirements of the building.
  • help us identify potential areas for improvement, optimise energy usage, and reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint in line with EU Directive 2023/1791.

Once complete, the Green Team will consider the audit report and identify actions/projects required to meet the recommendations contained in the audit report. This Climate Action Roadmap will be reviewed at that point and updated as appropriate.

5. Our ways of working

5.1 Energy and environmental management systems

In order to improve our carbon footprint, the following measures have been put in place:

Lighting

We have installed motion sensor lighting in all bathrooms, the lobbies, the corridors, the majority of the open plan office, guest canteens, and the top floor storage area.

We have installed LED lighting in all offices and corridors, in all meeting rooms (with one exception), in the preparatory kitchen and one of the two canteens.

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Explore the feasibility of extending motion sensor lighting to include the remaining areas, i.e., the meeting rooms, server room, staff canteen, stationery room, reception area, and remaining parts of the open plan office.
  • Explore the potential of extending LED lighting to include the reception area, stationary room, server room, top-floor storage area, the remaining meeting room and the guest canteens.

Electricity

In recent years, we have significantly reduced the numbers of servers needed due to a move to cloud-based systems for our registration database, Garda vetting processes, phone systems, and PC build processes.

We have also transitioned from desk-top computers to more energy efficient laptop computers and widescreen monitors. All staff members are required to shut down their laptop at the end of each working day, thereby conserving energy usage.

We have moved from physical phones to cloud-based soft phones, and these shut down when laptop computers are shut down.

We recently installed two new water coolers which incorporate a sleep mode to save energy when not in use.

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Further reduce the number of servers needed due to the move of additional systems to cloud-based systems, including for our Fitness to Practice case management system and our print server.
  • Install more energy efficient hand driers in the bathroom.

Heating

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Set temperatures in order to optimise staff wellbeing while also reducing energy consumption.
  • Explore the potential to install solar panels on the roof and sell back to grid, in line with the forthcoming Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.

Air Conditioning

A full feasability study of the current HVAC system in the office will be carried out in Q3 of 2024 to assess what enhancements can be made to the system to improve energy efficiency.

5.2 Digitisation of processes

The Council recognises the environmental and other benefits associated with increased digitisation of processes. To that end:

  • All Council (board) members have been provided with iPads or laptops, and all Council and Committee Meetings are now paperless.
  • Renewal of registration is now facilitated online only, save in exceptional cases.
  • The Garda Vetting processes for the purposes of initial registration and renewal of registration is now also facilitated online only, save in exceptional cases.
  • All staff newsletters are now issued by email only.
  • All newsletters to the register of teachers are now issued by email only.

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Appoint a Head of Digital to lead our work in digitising processes.

5.3 Green Procurement

Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a process where public bodies seek to source goods and services with a reduced environmental impact. GPP is a central focus of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). We have updated our procurement procedures and policies, including the Corporate Procurement Plan, to include GPP. All Teaching Council procurement processes include GPP as a standard criterion where applicable complying with the provisions of circular 20/2019.

5.4 Resource use

Paper Usage

To discourage unnecessary paper and energy use the Council has reduced the number of personal printers and introduced eco-friendly “all-in-one” photocopiers/printers, and time adjustments to ICT power down systems.

Printers are configured to print double-sided and in black and white ink by default, and our new print server has provided us with enhanced environmental reporting. The chart below, for example, illustrates the number of pages saved by duplex printing and our ‘pull print’ solution from January to March 2024. The reference to ‘pull-print solution’ refers to the system whereby print jobs sent to the printer are not printed automatically, but only when the printer is manually instructed to print.

The Council purchases paper by a supplier on an OGP framework. Suppliers included on that framework were required to demonstrate ‘an ability to support sustainability and the environment’.

In line with the provisions of our underpinning legislation, we are obliged to issue hard copy renewal reminder letters to registered teachers. This has now been outsourced to an external company. That company actively manages its supply chain and only purchases paper and paper-based products from audited suppliers who hold FSC and PEFC, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certification as a minimum. Paper purchased holds FSC Mix labels to ensure that all raw material originates from sustainable, well managed sources. This ensures we play our role in the safeguarding of forests, reducing emissions to water and land.

We have also sought to have this provision of the legislation amended to allow for such reminders to issue electronically in the future.

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Phase out paper towel usage in the bathrooms.
  • Monitor progress in terms of reams of paper/kg paper used per annum.

Where there are legal obligations to produce soft copies of documents, the paper is responsibly recycled via a paper shredding company, who are carbon neutral and committed to sustainable tree planting.

Water Usage

We recently installed two new water coolers with the below sustainability criteria:

Eco-friendly refrigeration using naturally occurring refrigerant gas with low GWP (Global Warning Potential) and zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential).

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Install sensor taps in the bathrooms.
  • Install systemiser urinal sensors to restrict water flushing.
  • Participate in the Reduce your Use campaign.

Plastic Usage

We are currently developing a Request for Tender document for the provision of catering services. We will include green criteria in that tender.

Over the course of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Provide all staff with a keep-cup.

Waste

  • We will be installing compost and recycling bins in the office and will reduce the number of general waste bins.
  • There are six shredding bins in the office for paper recycling.
  • Our Acceptable Usage and Information Security policy requires that electronic files will normally be sent as secure OneDrive or SharePoint links rather than attachments, thereby minimising file storage space on the server, with consequent energy savings.
  • Shared electronic mailboxes have automated retention and deletion rules embedded to ensure only necessary files are retained, thereby ensuring efficient use of server space.
  • A data retention policy is in place which prescribes timelines for destruction, thereby freeing up space on the server, with consequent energy savings.
  • An external company has been engaged to securely dispose of our devices and repurpose them in order to minimise waste and environmental harm.
  • We endeavour to obtain accurate attendance numbers for in-person meetings in order to minimise food waste.

Travel

In order to minimise the need for travel, we currently implement the following measures:

  • Implement a blended working policy so as to reduce the requirement for physical journeys.
  • Implement the Bike-to-Work scheme to incentivise staff to choose alternatives to car usage when attending work in person.
  • We have installed a bike shelter for use by staff and visitors.
  • Where meetings are held in-person and off-site, we choose venues with good public transport links so as to facilitate alternative means of transport to cars.
  • All Council and committee meetings are held in hybrid format.

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Reduce the number of external meetings we attend in person.
  • Explore how we might encourage staff and members to engage in car sharing.
  • Explore the potential to install electric vehicle charging points for staff and Council members.

6. Our Buildings

6.1   Fossil fuel heating systems

We currently have a gas supply feeding our hot water system and the direct burner in the air handling unit to heat the fresh air supply. All other heating, ventilation and air conditioning is powered by electricity.

Over the lifetime of this roadmap, we plan to:

  • Explore the possibility of transitioning away from gas supply.
  • Explore the potential to install solar panels on the roof and sell back to the grid.

6.2   Building stock plans

We are the owners of our office building in Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The total area of 30,000 square feet is laid out over three floors, of which 14,500 square feet are let to a tenant. The Teaching Council office space can be described as follows:

  1. Ground floor – lobby area, lift and stairs.
  2. 1st floor – first floor landing, lobby area, toilets and shower room, cleaning supply closet, server room, reception area, preparatory kitchen, stationery room, two canteens (staff canteen and guest canteen), corridors, open plan office space, individual offices, eight meeting rooms.
  3. 2nd floor – storage area.

Appendix 1: Terms of Reference for the Green Team

(as approved by Senior Management Team in April 2024)

Introduction

There is a legal obligation on public bodies to comply with Ireland’s climate law. Section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 (the Act) provides that: A relevant body shall, in so far as practicable, perform its functions in a manner consistent with—

  • the most recent approved climate action plan,
  • the most recent approved national long term climate action strategy,
  • the most recent approved national adaptation framework and approved sectoral adaptation plans,
  • the furtherance of the national climate objective, and
  • the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.

The Public Sector Climate Action Mandate highlights the main climate action objectives for public bodies, and it will be reviewed annually. Each public sector body to which the Mandate applies will develop a Climate Action Roadmap setting out how it will deliver on its energy efficiency and emissions reduction targets. The roadmap is the pathway by which the body will implement the Climate Action Mandate and should be reviewed annually in line with the updated Public Sector Climate Action Mandate.

Public sector bodies must achieve at least a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.

In accordance with the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, the main elements of the management and governance structure for implementing the mandate will comprise of:

  • A ‘Green team’ or Climate Action Mandate Implementation Group comprised of members of Teaching Council staff from across all sections and grade levels.
  • A member of the Senior Management Team appointed as the Climate and Sustainability Champion has responsibility for implementing and reporting on the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate and acts as a sponsor for the Green team at Management level.

This document will act as a Terms of reference for the Green team.

Role of the Green Team – Mission Statement

Green teams are essential to reducing emissions from the public sector. They have two fundamental objectives which tie in with the public sector leading by example:

i. to influence colleagues to commit to working and living sustainably.

ii. to influence decision making in public sector bodies so that climate; and environmental criteria are to the fore.

Life Span

The life span of the Green Team will coincide with the life span of the Council’s Strategic Plan.

Key Responsibilities

As outlined in the Public Sector Climate Action Strategy 2023-2025, the main responsibilities of the Green Team will be:

  • To influence colleagues to commit to working and living sustainably. This is likely to involve, for example, organising staff workshops (at least annually) on climate issues, with a focus on decreasing the organisation’s carbon footprint.
  • To influence decision making in the Council so that climate and environmental criteria, with a particular focus on energy management, are to the fore.
  • To review any processes/actions that may be contributing to the TC’s carbon footprint. In particular, the Green Team will:
  • Review any paper-based processes, evaluate the possibilities for digitisation, and eliminate paper-based processes as far as is practicable.
  • Consider the report arising from the Council’s carbon emissions analysis and identify any actions required to meet the recommendations contained therein.
  • Consider the report arising from the Council’s energy efficiency analysis and identify any actions required to comply with the recommendations contained therein.
  • To make recommendations to the Senior Management Team regarding the incorporation of appropriate climate action and sustainability training (technical and behavioural, including green procurement training) into learning and development strategies for staff.
  • To report to the senior management team on a quarterly basis.

Critical Success Factors

To ensure the effectiveness and success of the Green Team, the following factors are deemed critical:

  • Alignment: The work of the Green Team will be aligned with the Council’s corporate goals as set out in our Climate Action Roadmap.
  • Commitment and resourcing: Senior management support and commitment will be vital to the success of the Green Team in its work. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Climate and Sustainability Champion will act as sponsor, clear operational barriers for the team and ensure it is properly resourced. To enable the work of the Green Team, the Champion must be able to access relevant information and data on the Council’s activities.
  • Recognition: The work of the Green Team and its members should be appropriately recognised, for example, in email updates to staff, at staff meetings, in the Director’s report to Council, and in the Council’s annual report to the Minister.
  • Co-ordination and communication; The work of the Green Team will be coordinated by the Climate Action and Sustainability Champion. Regular communication with all staff and members will be essential in order to ensure buy-in and support for its work.
  • Engagement: It is expected that members will, save in exceptional circumstances, attend all meetings of the team, have read all materials provided in advance of meetings, respond to requests circulated between meetings, engage and give feedback at meetings based on their area of expertise.
  • Consensus: Decisions of the Green team will be reached by consensus, where possible.
  • Accountability: A clear accountability framework is essential. Policies, processes, and specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound (SMART) performance indicators will be critical for making information transparent, communicating expectations to colleagues and members and monitoring of Green Team performance.

Governance

The Green Team will work closely with the Climate and Sustainability Champion, who will function as its chair and its sponsor at Senior Management Team level within the organisation.

Membership

 Members

Membership of the Green team will not exceed ten members, who will collectively bring knowledge, skills and experience including, but not limited to, the following essential areas:

  • building management (facilities)
  • corporate services
  • human resources
  • learning and development
  • finance
  • technical support

The members are as follows:

Ruth Flynn, Head of Corporate Affairs and HR

Harry McGeary, Head of Finance/IT

Elaine McDermott, Registration

Cliona McLoughlin, Recognition

Thomas Moloney, Policy and Communications

Coordination / Secretarial Support

The Green Team will be coordinated by the Head of Corporate Affairs and HR, and secretarial support for meetings of the Green team will be provided by that section.

Meetings

Frequency of Meetings

The Green team will meet quarterly initially but may be required to meet more frequently if needed.

Meetings will take place either online or in person. Where meetings are to take place in person, every effort will be made to schedule meetings so as to align with days when staff are already physically in the office, thereby minimising unnecessary journeys. It is anticipated that meetings will last no more than two hours.

Agenda

Not less than five working days in advance of each meeting, the agenda for the meeting and any documents related to the various agenda items will be circulated by email.

In the event that decisions on urgent matters need to be made between meetings, this can be done by email and any such decisions will be recorded in the minutes of the next meeting.

Quorum

The quorum for meetings shall be no fewer than:

The Climate and Sustainability Champion plus 50% of the remaining members of the group.

Minutes

Concise minutes in tabular or bullet point format, identifying key decisions and actions, persons responsible for each action, and the timelines within which actions should be implemented, should be circulated by email no later than ten working days after each meeting. Responsibility for minute-taking will be rotated across members. Minutes may be approved by email.