How can a language school become more sustainable? Lingo Flamingo’s new Step up to Net Zero coordinator explains her role in shaping their Net Zero journey.

Hi all, I’m Barbara. I’m thrilled to be part of a great team working towards a meaningful cause.

I arrived at Lingo with a science background having done my undergraduate in Cell and Molecular biology at Glasgow Caledonian University. During my undergraduate I became fascinated in environmental biology and how microorganisms can be an excellent indicator of how polluted an environment has become through human activities.  

I then started noticing the increasing number of single-use plastics, throwaway cups and fast fashion items not being recycled, going to landfill and filling our oceans. I knew there was scope to do more to prevent this damage to the planet, so I went back to university to continue learning about and understanding the environmental issues of our age.

During the pandemic, I completed a Masters degree in Sustainability and Environmental studies at the University of Strathclyde.  My studies focused on the circular economy, environmental management, climate change and international development. The pandemic played an unexpected role during my studies, as I was able to see how quickly wildlife took its chance to reclaim their land thanks to a decrease in industrial activities. 

After graduating, I knew I wanted to work for a meaningful cause that could utilise my skills to protect our surrounding environment. 

I first learned about Lingo Flamingo through friends who had taken courses at the Shawlands hub. I was impressed by the creative and inspiring work they do to delay the advance of dementia but also to enable elderly people to learn a new language, making them feel more confident and positive. Research shows that those who are bilingual tend to develop dementia up to five years later than those who can only speak one language. 

When I saw the position for a Step up to Net Zero Coordinator, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to blend environmental studies and language learning together for an excellent initiative. 

The Step up to Net Zero program is delivered by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and fully funded by Glasgow City Council, to reach the city’s net zero ambitions. The term net zero means we want to get as close to zero greenhouse gas emissions as possible. Therefore a collective effort in limiting our emissions is critical for our future.  My role within the team is focused on overseeing Lingo Flamingo’s sustainability practices and to promote positive changes in the circular economy, net zero progress and waste management. Since Lingo Flamingo is part of the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, I am also identifying opportunities to collaborate and share good environmental practice with other organisations that are on their sustainability journey. 

One exciting plan for the Shawlands Hub is to pilot our first wee library. This is a great circular approach in sharing and reusing educational material in the community. Instead of multiple learners buying any given book, a smaller number of copies are used, returned and re-used. 

As well as this I will be taking steps in assessing and reviewing our organisation’s carbon emissions and identifying opportunities to reduce this for the future. This will include understanding emissions from our supply chains, business travel and waste management. Once we have a clear picture of our carbon emissions, we can set targets and develop a net zero strategy. 

With climate change becoming an increasingly pressing issue, achieving net zero has become a primary concern. It will be exciting to see changes from different small enterprises the next year or two in their journey to net zero. 

I am looking forward to watching how my skills progress in such a supportive and collaborative environment and to see positive changes at Lingo Flamingo over the next few months. Becoming a more sustainable language school will take dedication but will be achievable and worthwhile and I am excited to be working with this team to benefit our planet and people’s wellbeing.