Sustainable Living and Learning in Education Abroad

A City Committed to People & Planet

You’re studying in London — a global city that consistently ranks among the world’s most sustainable.

Led by Sadiq Khan, London’s climate strategy includes ambitious targets for net zero, cleaner air and a stronger green economy. The city is investing in renewable energy, low-emission transport and circular economy initiatives — all designed to protect both people and planet.

So you’re not just visiting a historic city. You’re living in one actively shaping a greener future. Studying abroad shapes your future. But it also shapes the world around you. Every programme, every flight, every classroom, every decision has an impact on people and the planet.

At AES Experiential Learning and Living, we believe international education should create opportunity without compromising responsibility. That’s why People & Planet sits at the centre of our strategy, not at the edges.

Now let’s talk about your role in that.

Your Role: Practical Ways to Support People & Planet

Pack with Purpose

Choose reusable, refillable and plastic-free essentials. Pack lighter where possible — transport emissions matter. Conscious packing is your first People & Planet decision.

Travel Smarter

Walk. Cycle. Use public transport. London’s expanding low-emission buses and cycle lanes make greener travel easy. It’s better for air quality, better for local communities and honestly a better way to experience the city Eco-friendly ways to get around London – Experience London blog

Don’t Buy New by Default

Charity shops across London are goldmines. Buying second-hand supports local causes (people) and reduces demand for new production (planet). It’s sustainability that also protects your budget London’s Best Charity Shops | 16 London Shops For Pre-Loved Bargains

Rethink Short Flights

Air travel is one of the biggest individual carbon impacts. When travelling within the UK or Europe, trains and coaches are often lower-carbon alternatives. Slower travel often leads to deeper experiences too Passengers to enjoy cleaner travel between UK and Europe   – GOV.UK

Don’t forget to explore your city and immerse yourself in the local culture is an excellent way to make the most of your study abroad experience Sustainable London: a city of the future

Eat for People & Planet

Choose seasonal, locally sourced food where you can. It cuts food miles and supports local producers. London has a growing number of plant-forward and sustainable restaurants, making climate-conscious choices easier than ever The 22 Best Sustainable and Zero-Waste Restaurants in London

Bring a reusable bag. Avoid single-use plastics. It sounds basic — it’s not insignificant.

Refill, Don’t Replace

London’s tap water is safe and high quality. There are thousands of refill stations across the capital. Carry your AES bottle and use it. Single-use plastic is one of the easiest impacts to reduce.

Share More, Waste Less

Shared living naturally reduces consumption. Share appliances, cook together, avoid overbuying cleaning products. Community living supports people and reduces pressure on the planet.

Bring People & Planet Into Your Learning

AES offers free sustainability workshops and regularly shares ESG events and opportunities. Engage with them. Ask how your academic discipline connects to climate, equity or sustainable development. Sustainability isn’t just environmental — it’s social too.

Volunteer

Supporting local initiatives strengthens communities and deepens your connection to the city. Follow the AES social calendar for charity events and volunteer opportunities. Impact feels different when you’re part of it.

Circular Economy & The 5 Rs in Action

At AES, we go beyond the traditional 3 Rs. Our People & Planet approach follows the 5 Rs:

Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle.

Refuse what you don’t need — especially single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging.
Reduce consumption where possible — buy intentionally, not impulsively.
Reuse items throughout your stay instead of replacing them.
Repurpose belongings creatively or pass them on through the AES Donation Hub.
Recycle correctly using local guidance and facilities.

Our AES Donation Hub supports this circular economy mindset. At the end of each term, instead of discarding clothing, kitchenware, books and essentials, students can donate them. Items are then:

Shared with incoming students
Donated to local charities
Reintegrated into community initiatives

This reduces landfill waste, lowers demand for new production and supports people in the local community.

Circular thinking protects the planet — and strengthens communities at the same time.

Make Your Accommodation Greener

Switch off appliances. Be mindful with heating and water use. Energy consumption is one of the largest controllable impacts during your stay.

Marginal gains matter — especially when hundreds of students make them together.

The Bigger Picture

People & Planet isn’t a trend. It’s a responsibility.

Studying abroad already shapes who you become. Choosing to consider your impact shapes what kind of global citizen you’ll be. Every choice — how you travel, what you buy, where you spend — connects you to a bigger system.

You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be intentional.

That’s how real change happens.

Now A Bit About Our Journey So Far – Year 2

We’re proud to share that AES has once again achieved the Planet Mark Business Certification. This marks the second year of our formal sustainability journey.

Planet Mark is an internationally recognised certification for organisations that demonstrate verifiable and measurable carbon reduction, continuous improvement and transparent reporting. In short: it holds businesses accountable.

Environmental Progress – 2024 Highlights

Cutting Carbon (Scope 1 & 2)

Commitment: 5% year-on-year reduction
Achieved: 21.1% reduction
75% of our electricity now comes from 100% renewable sources.

Sustainable Fleet & Travel

14,000 miles transitioned through sustainable fleet initiatives
Electrified and hybrid vehicles now in operation

Scope 3 Emissions (Travel & Commute)

31,720 commuter miles saved through our Virtual Internship programme
6,640 business travel hours reduced annually through our Green Travel Programme

Less unnecessary travel = less carbon impact on the planet.

Embedding Sustainability Into Learning

People & Planet isn’t just operational — it’s academic.

1 dedicated sustainability course
3 sustainability-focused modules
3 ESG workshops (Construction, Media & Journalism, International Finance)
36 students attended our ESG in Business workshop

We addressed 9 UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2024, up from 4 in 2023.

That’s real integration — not surface-level content.

Waste Reduction

35% reduction achieved through:

Sustainable procurement
Waste reduction policies
Disposable plastic-free operations

Less waste. Smarter systems. Better for people and planet.

Social Value: Supporting People

Sustainability isn’t just environmental. It’s social impact too.

In 2024, AES generated £144,234 in Social Value — equivalent to £1,823 per employee — assessed via the National TOMs framework through Planet Mark.

Here’s where that impact went: