One of the county's major college groups has vowed to be carbon net zero by 2040 - a decade ahead of the government's target of 2050.

EKC Group - which runs further education sites in Canterbury, Broadstairs, Folkestone, Ashford, Sheppey and Dover - made the commitment as it launched its new sustainability strategy. It comes as world leaders meet in Glasgow for crunch talks at COP26.

It sets out the group's roadmap to become net zero and be "the greener place to learn and work”.

The plans were drawn up by its internal climate change working group - which consists of governors, staff and students.

Included in the strategy is a move to reducing business travel and paper usage to drive down the group's carbon footprint as well as the appointment of a full-time sustainability officer.

It also seeks to "enhance biodiversity across the group’s estate", with a "clear goal of protecting and enhancing areas for wildlife".

EKC Group has already won plaudits for the erection of swift boxes at its Broadstairs College in May.

Andrew Stevens, the group’s chief operating officer, said: “We want to become community leaders in sustainability, training our students and staff members to be environmentally-conscious both in class and at home.

“We hope that by instilling these values into our learners, they can become green pioneers in future workplaces and live truly sustainable lives which minimises their individual impact on our earth.

“Through this sustainability strategy, we’re encouraging students and staff to contribute to making our colleges greener.”

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