Sustainability

Make a difference now, for their future.

Our approach to sustainability is underpinned by an ongoing commitment to protect the planet and its people. As a provider of study abroad experiences, we fully endorse responsible tourism and ensure our programmes raise awareness of global citizenship and sustainability strategies. We believe that making a difference now can safeguard the health of our planet for future generations. 

Learn International's Ethos

Sustainability Policy 2024

This document will be reviewed annually

At Learn International, our approach to sustainability is underpinned by an ongoing commitment to protect the planet and its people. Learn International is a provider of study abroad experiences, we fully endorse responsible tourism and ensure our programmes raise awareness of global citizenship and sustainability strategies. We believe that making a difference now can safeguard the health of our planet for future generations.

UNWTO Definition
Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN Environment Program and UN World Tourism Organisation as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

Continuous Improvement

Our five-stage strategy addresses our responsibilities to the environment, the communities in which we work, our role as global citizens and educators, and our ongoing commitment to review and continuously improve our sustainability practices.

Measuring and Reducing Negative Impacts

We take our environmental responsibility very seriously. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability within our day-to-day business practices. It is our mission to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Energy Consumption

We commit to measuring our energy consumption every three months and do the following to reduce it:

  • Electronic equipment, heating and lightning is turned off when not in use.
  • Our energy is 100% renewable and sourced from SSE Airtricity.
  • Our electric heaters have their own power switch and are turned on only where and when they are needed.

Water Consumption

We commit to measuring our water consumption every three months and in order to reduce it, we make sure that:

  • Water is consumed mindfully by only using the necessary amount.
  • We turn on the immersion heater only when needed.

Waste Production

We commit to measuring our waste consumption every three months and do the following to reduce it.

  • We provide our students and staff with reusable coffee cups and water bottles to help reduce waste.
  • We no longer print marketing materials for student fairs and promotional events. Instead, we use QR codes and share information by email and digital platforms.
  • We try to limit printing as much as we can and we use FSC certified paper when we do need to print.
  • We recycle whatever and whenever we can. There are recycling facilities for waste in our offices and a composting unit.
  • We use compostable coffee pods, to reduce plastic waste.
  • We are working on implementing a ‘zero single-use plastic’ policy over the next 12 months.

Ethical Purchasing

We strive to buy locally, within the country whenever possible to support businesses and suppliers and when it is possible, we prefer to recycle, re-use, and repair.

Carbon Management

We are committed to becoming a more sustainable organization and recognize the importance of managing our carbon footprint. While we are not currently offsetting emissions, we are actively working to reduce them through various initiatives.
Carbon Reduction Activities:

  • Resource Management: We are dedicated to maximising resource efficiency across our operations. This includes implementing practices like reducing paper consumption, minimising waste generation, and exploring opportunities for responsible product sourcing.
  • By promoting a hybrid work environment we aim to reduce our environmental impact by minimising employee commutes and the associated carbon footprint.
  • Our renewable energy is 100% renewable and sourced from SSE Airtricity.
  • Carbon Footprint Measurement: We are actively working on establishing a process to measure our carbon footprint. This will allow us to identify key emission sources and prioritise reduction strategies.
We are confident that these ongoing efforts will significantly decrease our carbon footprint. We will continue to review and update our carbon management plan as we progress towards our sustainability goals.

Responsible Sustainability Marketing

As a provider of study abroad programmes, we aim to educate students about the importance of sustainability and their social responsibility as global citizens. By deepening awareness and fostering an understanding of the wider world and its communities, we can support the development of a more sustainable and equitable planet.

  • In alignment with our commitment to sustainability, we prioritise digital channels over printed materials to reduce paper consumption and minimise our environmental footprint.
  • We have begun transitioning our promotional merchandise to use more sustainable materials. Our pens are now crafted from wood and metal, facilitating their separation and subsequent recycling at end-of-life.
We know we can’t always get things right the first time, but we understand the significant influence marketing has on consumer behaviour and are aware of the dangers of greenwashing practices.

Therefore, we are committed to honestly communicating where we are on our journey and our improvements.

Social Responsibility

We respect and support our local community and our broader communities.

  • We champion equal opportunity for all through respect, inclusivity, and diversity.
  • We are in the process of becoming a Fair Trade Workplace by replacing our office supplies with Fairtrade certified products.
  • As a study abroad provider, we educate students to understand the importance of global citizenship through workshops, videos or other document materials shared during our programmes.
  • We encourage and promote the “Leave no trace” movement with all of our student activities.
  • We are dedicated to supporting the health of our local waterways. Throughout the year, our team actively participates in community initiatives like beach cleanups. In 2025, we're amplifying our efforts, aiming to double our participation to twice a year, working around our busy season.

Supporting Biodiversity & Conservation

We are committed to promoting sustainable, year-round tourism and ethical trade relationships in Ireland.

  • We promote Ecotourism practices that conserve, unify, and benefit communities.
  • We assist in local community initiatives such as beach and canal clean ups and alternative clean-up sessions to aid the health of local waterways.
  • In alignment with our commitment to environmental sustainability, we are honoured to be recognised as a Dunsany Rewilding Patron by the Irish Trees organisation. This recognition reflects our ongoing collaboration with the Dunsany Nature Reserve and Castle in Ireland.
Unfortunately, Ireland's indigenous tree population has declined significantly, impacting our fight against climate change. We are actively addressing this issue by partnering with Irish Trees to plant native trees. This initiative not only promotes biodiversity but also offers a powerful solution to CO2 reduction. A single native Irish Oak tree can absorb up to 5 tonnes of CO2 over its 250-year lifespan, significantly offsetting emissions. For every 10 students we serve, we plant 2 trees, aiming to plant 2 trees for each student within the next two years. Learn more about tree planting with Irish Trees.

Signed:

Chris Lawlor, CEO
Cara Simon, COO
Alex Bartley, Executive Assistant and Sustainability Coordinator