Class of Change - ESG at ISP Schools
ISP Middle East’s Class of Change Summit: Students and Staff Driving Real Impact
How nine schools came together to take sustainability to the next level
ISP Middle East hosted the very first Class of Change Summit, a two-day event held at The English College in Dubai and The Hamilton International School in Doha. The summit brought together students, teachers, principals, and facilities teams from across nine schools in the region to celebrate their work on reducing environmental impact.
This was more than just a typical event—it marked the first time an entire ISP region rolled out a whole-school approach to sustainability. Students worked side by side with staff across different roles and campuses to make a real difference in how schools manage energy and promote eco-friendly practices.
What we achieved together
Thanks to this collaborative effort, ISP schools in the Middle East managed to cut emissions by 17% this academic year compared to last year. That’s over 2,000 tonnes of carbon saved—equivalent to:
- Growing 12,000+ trees over a decade
- Taking 160 cars off the road for a year
- Powering 1,500 homes for an entire month
This was not just a numbers game. The work involved creative student-led projects, daily operational changes, and a shared commitment from everyone involved. It’s a strong example of what can happen when schools come together around a common purpose - When I becomes We
Recognising standout efforts
As part of the summit, several schools were recognised for their achievements:
Aspen Heights British School (Abu Dhabi) earned first place and was awarded AED 100,000 to support more sustainability projects on campus.
Reach British School (Abu Dhabi) came in second.
The Hamilton International School (Doha) secured third place.
The English College (Dubai) received the Whole School Sustainability Award for embedding sustainability across their entire school community.
A message from leadership
Kam Bhamra, Regional Managing Director for ISP Middle East, shared his thoughts at the summit:
“At ISP, we believe that real change begins with empowering students to lead the way. The Class of Change Summit and the impact recognised is a testament to the innovation, passion, and responsibility our students are demonstrating in tackling today’s most urgent environmental challenges.”
Looking ahead
The success of this pilot project is already creating momentum beyond the region. ISP Middle East’s model will now help shape similar efforts across our global schools. It’s a strong reminder that the work we do—both in classrooms and behind the scenes—can have a lasting impact.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible. Whether you were leading a project, supporting a student group, adjusting how energy is used on campus, or simply encouraging new ideas—your role mattered.
Let’s keep it going.
HERE is a video highlighting the great work our schools have done
