Cognita Reports Major ESG Progress as Global Education Impact Expands

Global schools’ group Cognita has more than doubled its renewable electricity consumption, reduced emissions intensity across its global school platform and outlined its ambition to positively impact more than 100,000 children beyond its schools by 2035, announced in its third annual sustainability report.

The report details Cognita’s progress across environmental sustainability, student wellbeing, responsible learning and global education impact during 2025, as the group continues to embed ESG priorities across its platform of around 90 schools in 21 countries.

The report outlines progress across Cognita’s strategic sustainability priorities – sustainable learning environments, nurturing responsible learners, fair and sustainable workplaces and impacting global education – underpinned by the foundational principle of leading responsibly, with measurable outcomes across the group’s operations and school communities during 2025.

Among the key highlights reported during 2025 were:

Renewable electricity consumption more than doubling to 12,250 MWh, up from 5040 MWh the previous year.

Emissions intensity improving to 0.45 MT CO₂e per student, down from 0.50 the previous year.

Sixteen schools reporting solar generation, up from 12 the previous year.

More than £557,000 raised for charitable causes.

Students completing an average of 17.8 volunteering hours per student.

Launch of Cognita Impact, a platform designed to extend Cognita’s educational expertise beyond its own schools.

Launch of a group wide AI policy governing responsible AI use across schools and business operations.

More than 100,000 students and 21,000 colleagues participating in Global Be Well Day, Cognita’s annual wellbeing initiative.

A major milestone during 2025 was the launch of Cognita Impact, its global education impact platform, which brings together partnerships and initiatives designed to extend educational opportunity and expertise beyond its schools. Through the initiative it aims to positively impact more than 100,000 children outside its schools by 2035, creating lasting positive impact beyond its school communities.

The report highlights this approach through international education partnerships, including Cognita’s work with The Sparkle Foundation in Malawi to strengthen early years education through curriculum development, teacher professional learning and classroom based support. The partnership has supported 1040 learners and 40 educators through its early childhood development intervention to date, with classroom observations indicating improved teacher confidence and capability in delivering structured learning and assessing student progress.

In Chile, Cognita educators continued their partnership with the public education system in Temuco to expand access to English language education. The partnership includes sharing curriculum plans and programmes, providing professional development in English language teaching methodologies, and supporting classroom modelling and observation. The programme has supported more than 300 students.

Alongside these partnerships, the company continued expanding student led sustainability initiatives focused on biodiversity, climate awareness, renewable energy, environmental stewardship and community engagement – supporting the group’s broader ambition to nurture responsible learners.

The report additionally reflects a continued focus on employee engagement, leadership development and workplace wellbeing, including the phased rollout of its OneCognita employee experience platform and the introduction of a group chief people officer role to lead Cognita’s people strategy.

As part of its long term environmental strategy, the company continues progressing towards its ambition of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while enhancing the governance and operational structures underpinning its ESG strategy through improved environmental reporting, greater data consistency and an evolving role for its ESG taskforce.

David Baldwin, group chief executive officer, said: ‘At Cognita, our job is simple: to make schools better. That belief also sits at the heart of our approach to sustainability, which is reflected in how we run our schools, support our people, care for our communities and prepare students to understand the world around them. The progress outlined in this report reflects the focus, consistency, and collaboration taking place across our schools and wider global community.’

Jamie Delaney, head of ESG and group ethics and compliance officer, said: ‘Our focus over the past year has been on moving from ambition to implementation – strengthening the systems, governance and partnerships needed to embed sustainability more consistently across a globally diverse organisation. This work reflects a growing maturity in Cognita’s ESG strategy and a continued focus on measurable, long term impact.’

Looking ahead, the company will continue accelerating adoption of its sustainability action framework across schools globally while further embedding responsible learning, student engagement and sustainability across its international school community.