North East Scotland College (NESCol) won the Driving Sustainability award - sponsored by Bilfinger - at the 2026 Northern Star Business Awards.
NESCol is the largest provider of further education across the North-east of Scotland, delivering a wide range of learning opportunities tailored to individuals, communities and employers.
With campuses in Aberdeen, Altens, Fraserburgh and Peterhead, NESCol offers industry-aligned facilities and professional learning environments.
Each year, over 6,500 full-time and 15,000 part-time students enrol across subject areas including business, engineering, health and social care, computing, creative industries and energy transition.
NESCol continues to make significant strides in reducing its environmental impact and embedding sustainability across all business functions. While the nature of its service delivery continues to evolve, NESCol remains committed to achieving a 50% reduction in carbon emissions, with the latest data indicating excellent progress of 48% towards this target.
Driving Sustainability NSBA2026 North East Scotland College with sponsor Bilfinger
This progress has been driven by previous capital investment, heating and lighting optimisation and sustainable transport initiatives, including mileage monitoring and the addition of a second electric vehicle at the Fraserburgh campus.
These achievements to date are informing the development of a new Carbon Management Plan for 2025–2030.
In February 2025, NESCol launched the “Energy on the Move” outreach vehicle - a hydrogen dual-fuel mobile classroom designed to engage young learners in the energy transition.
April 2025 saw the introduction of an improved Active and Sustainable Travel Strategy, developed in consultation with staff and students. In July 2025, NESCol launched mandatory all-staff sustainability training aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and developed in partnership with Learning for Sustainability Scotland.
August 2025 saw the doors opening to NESCol’s Energy Transition Skills Hub, a state-of-the-art facility adjacent to our Altens campus, providing community spaces and renewables training aligned with strategic regional growth sectors.