Here where learning is a green journey

“When you like a flower, you just pluck it. But when you love a flower, you water it daily.” (Buddha)

Shakespeare Martineau’s survey (2022) of 1,000 16 to 19-year-olds planning on applying for college or university showed that:

• Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) are worried about climate change;
• 90% of prospective students would be proud to study at a green campus;
• 79% of prospective students say that ‘clear strategies to reduce environmental impact, promote sustainable development and reduce waste’ is an influencing factor in the college or university they apply for.

However, and somewhat surprisingly, only half of educational institutions consider sustainability as an ‘important’ part of their student recruitment strategy.  This is exceptionally shocking, given the fact that the impacts of climate change are something we are all living with each and every day

Here at H-FARM, we believe we have a responsibility to do the right thing. We believe that since the beginning, when in 2005 H-FARM was a tiny house surrounded by a beautiful garden. With this in mind, our incredible Campus was developed in previously abandoned buildings, without land consumption, and built from the ground up to be as ‘green’ as possible.  We are located just 30 mins from Venice itself and our Campus sits within 51 hectares of park and woodland with over 10,000 trees and flowering plants. Each year, at the beginning of the academic year, freshmen plant a new tree. In doing so, they give their contribution to their number increase, becoming an active part of our vision. 

To maintain a low visual impact, buildings are either low rise or seem to be built into the earth itself. At H-FARM Campus, 100% of the energy is sustainable: 85% comes from a photovoltaic system (over 1.3 MWp), while the rest is supplied from the grid using only renewable sources, by certified operators. The only means of transportation that can circulate are electric. 

We are not the only ones who think what we do is something special:  H-FARM was recognized as “Best of Green Schools“,  awardED by The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Schools National Network for the world’s most sustainable schools. All the Campus buildings achieved the LEED GOLD V3 certification, the world’s most widely used green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Campus is 100% carbon neutral, thanks to the support of Magnetic Media Network that offsets carbon footprint for all our Apple products.

Of course, the development of this wonderful ‘green’ Campus was not a purely selfless act, the calm serenity afforded by this environment makes it a wonderful place to work and study.  Visitors from other academic institutions are stunned by the quality of the teaching and learning ecosystem that we have created.

Don’t you believe me? Then please come to visit us.

Whatever the institution you choose to study at in future, do the right thing and make sure that they not only care about you, but also care for the environment you study in and broader than that the environment that we all exist within.

Tomorrow, February 16th, we will celebrate the “National Day for Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles” with the national champaign “M’Illumino di meno” organised annually since 2005 to spread the culture of environmental sustainability and resource saving. On this occasion I believe it is even more important to reflect on the importance of environmental sustainability.

So why are you still waiting to come to visit our campus? We look forward to welcoming you! 

Antonella Sannella, Executive Director H-FARM College