The Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, published by DfE in 2022, set out initiatives that work together for the education system to inspire, to support planning and to take the action needed to meet the challenges climate change presents. As part of this strategy, the department set out the expectation that all education settings are to have a climate action plan by the end of 2025. Climate action plans should take a holistic approach to climate action in education settings, encompassing the four pillars of climate education and green skills, decarbonisation, adaptation, and biodiversity. To help educational settings develop a climate action plan and progress on their sustainability journey, the department has commissioned 3 free initiatives:
1. Sustainability Support for Education: A digital platform that provides tailored signposting to appropriate resources that enable settings to take their first steps on their sustainability journey, or, to take their ambitions to the next level.
For support with using the Sustainability Support for Education platform and further information on all the sustainability services offered by the department, please sign up to the free interactive webinars: Action for Climate by Sustainability Support for Education | Eventbrite.
2. Climate Ambassadors and the Let's Go Zero Climate Action Advisors: On the ground support from experts to help planning and delivery of climate action plans.
3. National Education Nature Park: Digital tools and resources to empower children and young people to lead the way in decision making and action in their setting.
Further guidance can be found here Sustainability leadership and climate action plans in education - GOV.UK.
