Job title: Head of Customer Success, Zellar
What does your job role involve?
I really wanted to work for an organisation that had a direct impact on sustainability, so I started working for Zellar last year. Through the Zellar platform, we support organisations in measuring their carbon emissions and finding ways to reduce their negative environmental impact; it is an action-based platform. We are not saying you must be perfect right now to get a stamp of verification and we encourage organisations to adopt and follow plans to achieve their sustainability ambitions and reduce their emissions. I love my role as it is very rewarding to see organisations take steps to become more energy efficient, give back to their community and promote sustainable practices but it can also be frustrating at times. It does not feel like there is enough urgency from the government or organisations and there certainly has not been enough support. Through Zellar though, I feel like I do have a direct impact. There is still a long way to go!
Where does your interest in sustainability come from?
I love nature and being outdoors. Growing up in Malvern with the hills in the background, you are surrounded by it. The thought of this disappearing or being mistreated, as is happening in other locations already through natural disasters or human activity, is a strong provocation to act.
Sustainability affects the food you eat, the friends you have, the travel that you do, your education. So it’s hard to believe that it wouldn’t be of interest! In my role, there can be a lot of pushback around taking action as many feel like they can’t make a difference. However, it should be a ladder approach. It is not one single thing that placed us in a state of climate emergency – it’s been the accumulation of many actions over an extended period of time. The solution is the same but in reverse. If everyone had the attitude of ‘what I do doesn’t matter’, then no real progress would or will ever be made.
Why do you think Malvern College’s Green Giving Day is so important?
I feel very lucky to have been at a school like Malvern. The surroundings are beautiful, the air is clean, we are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you can take part in lots of activities to care for this – I’ll never forget the camping trips to Cwm Llwch or the orienteering sessions across the Common!
As an alumna of Malvern College, I want pupils to have the same opportunities that I had. One of the joys of growing up should be about fully enjoying the day to day – without the weight of climate anxiety. As the climate crisis becomes more and more prevalent, it becomes increasingly important to support infrastructure changes to allow others to have the same experiences we did – any additional money spent on sky-high energy prices is money taken away from the education of pupils.
Having a Green Giving Day which brings the Malvern College community together and encourages various contributions, whether through financial support or other means, feels like the most effective way to support both current and future pupils.