Perth Grammar School partners with Robertson to plant trees as part of carbon offsetting programme

Pupils at Perth Grammar School have begun to plant trees in the grounds of the school – with help from a leading infrastructure firm.

Robertson, which has a strategic partnership with the school, is supporting the environmentally friendly project as part of a commitment to offset its carbon footprint.

Trees are being planted across the school estate after Robertson worked with pupils in S2 and S3 to secure planning permission for the project.

The project, which aims to support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, has also been supported by Perth & Kinross Council, Carbon Footprint Ltd and Generations Working Together.

Robertson announced it had become a carbon neutral business on World Environment Day last year. One of the first companies to do so in the built environment sector, Robertson has implemented a wide range of carbon reduction initiatives and has reduced emissions intensity by 25 per cent in the last four years.

Graeme Hannah, Head of Sustainability at Robertson, said: "We are determined to do everything possible to reduce our carbon footprint, and while we're doing this we offset our emissions to ensure we have zero negative impact. Projects such as this one show how even small steps can make a big difference. As a business we play a key role in combating climate change and over the last few years we have implemented a series of reduction measures to through our carbon management plan.

"Through our strategic partnership with Perth Grammar School we know the pupils have a real focus on the environment and it has been a pleasure to work with them to develop this tree-planting programme.

During the project, the pupils heard from Perth & Kinross Council's Tree and Biodiversity Officer who explained how the planting of the trees will help mitigate climate change and enhance the landscape.

Mike Farrell, Depute Headteacher at Perth Grammar School, said: "We are so grateful to Robertson Group for proposing this project as part of our partnership approach to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We agreed from the start that we would have a joint focus on Climate Action, Quality Education and Partnerships for the Goals. The project has helped us to deliver on all three.

"The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed taking part and feel that they have made a valuable contribution to enhancing their school grounds as well as helping – even in a small way – to mitigate climate change."

Dr Wendy Buckley, Client Director, Carbon Footprint Ltd, said: "Robertson is taking a leading and responsible step in these times of climate emergency. As well as compensating for all the carbon emissions created by the business over the last year, tree planting in schools helps to educate the upcoming generation and also actively supports biodiversity."

Robertson's partnership with Perth Grammar is one of five strategic partnerships with schools and further education institutes across Scotland, with others including Bannockburn High School in Stirling, Elgin High School in Moray, Portlethen Academy in Aberdeenshire and Baldragon High School in Dundee.

The education partnerships form part of our wider Young People Strategy, put in place to facilitate the development of young people at varying stages of their careers, actioned through high school and higher education partnerships, apprentice, trainee & graduate programmes and professional development schemes.