Sustainability

From solar energy to zero-waste events, ISZL is empowering students and our entire community to take meaningful steps for the planet.

Sustainability is an important part of everyday life at ISZL. It shapes how we learn, how we care for one another, and how we look after our shared environment. With guidance from our Sustainability Committee, which includes students, staff, and parents, we’re taking thoughtful steps to reduce our impact and make positive change across our school community.

Everyone can make a change — even if it’s little things. Almost everything you do can impact the environment that you don’t realise.

ISZL Student

Our Sustainability Strategy is shaped by four key themes

Nature as Inspiration for Wellbeing
Regenerative Learning
Operations (covering areas like travel, waste, food, energy, and purchasing)
Connections, Community, and Communication

What We've Already Achieved

Over the years, sustainability at ISZL has grown from small student-led ideas into school-wide practices that make a real difference. From improving our recycling systems to installing solar panels and rethinking how we manage food and transport, these projects reflect the dedication of our students, staff, and wider community. Every achievement builds on what came before — and helps shape what comes next.

Solar Panel Installation

Solar panels installed on the roof of ISZL’s gymnasium, quietly generating clean, renewable energy.

Representing one of the largest steps forward for campus sustainability to date, we installed 620 solar panels on the roof of the High School Triple Gym in November 2024.

With an annual output of over 283,000 kWh of clean energy, the project dramatically reduces our carbon footprint and models renewable energy in action. This milestone was years in the making, first proposed by student groups as early as 2014 and made possible by our partnership with Swiss Renewable Solutions AG — at no cost to the school.

Sustainable Transport

As part of the Zero Carbon initiative led by YFS students, ISZL introduced electric vehicles for campus transport and installed charging stations for staff.

This shift supports more sustainable travel choices and reduces emissions from daily school operations. The move was inspired and driven by the Class of 2020, who not only advocated for change but helped make it happen.

Biodiversity Projects

At the High School, projects have included installing bird boxes and insect hotels, planning a wildflower-friendly mowing strategy, and creating a native species garden to attract pollinators. These hands-on projects allow students to engage with nature directly and explore the role of urban green spaces in sustaining ecosystems.

Clothing Exchange

Hosted regularly at the Old School House, ISZL’s Clothes Swaps offer a fun, community-driven way to reduce clothing waste.

Students and staff bring items they no longer need and trade for something new-to-them — promoting circular economy thinking.

Unsold items are donated to the refugee community during International Day. It’s a small change with a big impact on awareness and sustainable habits.

Zero Waste Practices

What started as a student initiative through Youth Forum Switzerland (YFS) has transformed how we think about waste.

A dedicated Zero Waste team, supported by the Parents’ Association, created a comprehensive guide for hosting zero-waste events — from sourcing compostable materials to streamlining waste separation and collection.

This system is now embedded into school events like International Day, where students and staff work together to minimise incineration waste and send compostables to a specialist facility in Baden.

Sustainability Newsletter

Students planting seedlings in the school’s aquaponics garden as part of their sustainability programme.

Three times a year, we share our Sustainability Newsletter with the ISZL community — celebrating successes, highlighting opportunities for growth, and showcasing the commendable efforts of staff leading the way. It’s a space to reflect on our progress, stay connected to ongoing initiatives, and challenge ourselves with new ideas as we work towards a more sustainable future.

Building Networks

ISZL’s High School Sustainability Lead is helping shape the conversation beyond our school. As co-chair of the ECIS Special Interest Group on Sustainability and Regenerative Practices and co-initiator of the SGIS Sustainability Group, they are building networks and sharing expertise across international schools. They were also invited to speak at the Swiss Climate Reporting Forum — recognition of ISZL’s growing leadership in sustainability education.

Forums and Summits

Each year, ISZL students and staff take part in the Sustainability and Leadership Education Summit, joining other schools and experts to exchange ideas and deepen their understanding of environmental action. We also attend the Environmental Forum at the Inter-Community School Zurich to build valuable connections and strengthen our shared commitment to sustainability.

Intro

Solar Panel Installation

Sustainable Transport

Biodiversity Projects

Clothing Exchange

Zero Waste Practices

Sustainability Newsletter

Building Networks

Forums and Summits

What We're Working on Now

Sustainable Food Across Campuses

Through the EcoSchools programme, ISZL students are actively working to make school food systems more sustainable.

At the High School, student groups are using data to guide menu improvements and explore alternative snack options.

In Primary School, Grades 3–5 are running surveys, writing persuasive letters, and advocating for less food waste and more environmentally conscious choices.

Transport and PDW Carbon Tracking

Our unique methodology for measuring the sustainability of Personal Development Week (PDW) travel balances carbon impact with educational outcomes.

Developed in-house, the tool quantifies emissions based on flight type and destination while also rating the depth of learning and social-environmental benefit of each trip. This allows the school to make informed, ethical decisions about student travel and model responsible global citizenship.

Vermi-Composting in EY2

Our youngest learners are getting hands-on with sustainability through vermi-composting.

Supported by professional training from WormUp Academy, EY2 students are responsible for feeding, caring for, and learning from classroom worm farms. This initiative teaches them about food cycles, decomposition, and ecological responsibility — all through age-appropriate, inquiry-based learning.

Forest School and Reggio-Inspired Learning

Recycling Systems Overhaul

Recycling at ISZL has evolved from student-led paper collection to integrated, campus-wide systems managed by our Facilities Team.

Now, with support from the Sustainability Strategy group, we are conducting audits of our current recycling services — especially at our Zug Campus — and identifying areas for improvement. The goal is to create a more visible, efficient, and education-aligned recycling infrastructure for the whole school.

Nature as Inspiration for Wellbeing

Energy Use Analysis

Our students are taking an active role in how we use and share energy across the school. They’re gathering input from staff about electric vehicle charging needs and helping to plan for future installations. They’re also analysing data from our solar panels and exploring creative ways to make this information more visible to our community, helping all of us better understand our impact and opportunities.

Highlighting Sustainable Career Pathways

What's to Come

In-House Carbon Footprinting

Expanding Green Spaces at the High School

Ecotravel

Embedding Regenerative Thinking in Curriculum

Eco-Schools Green Flag Certification

We are on track to earn our first Green Flag through the international Eco-Schools programme.

Schools can apply for the Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation after completing the seven Eco-Schools steps. This award recognises and celebrates the environmental efforts of young people, boosting their motivation and showing local communities that the institution supports youth-led sustainability.

This whole-school effort connects learning, operations, and action — and serves as a symbol of our long-term commitment to sustainability practices.