The UK government is calling for all English schools to introduce a climate action plan – setting out how they’ll track and reduce emissions – by 2025. Schools will need to nominate a sustainability lead too. With pressure on schools to decarbonise, help from local authorities will be vital.
But hitting targets is just one reason to support schools in this challenge. Zero carbon schools can play a big role in lowering local emissions, and also inspire communities to embrace climate action. The practical steps schools can take – from installing solar panels to nurturing green spaces – bring a wide range of benefits, from lowering energy bills to boosting students’ physical and mental health.
Many teachers and young people are keen to take on the climate crisis, but need the resources and knowledge to take action. Their schools can get help by joining the Let’s Go Zero campaign. Let’s Go Zero delivers free support and inspiration, as well as calling for change from government.
Five simple tips from the campaign, on how you can support local schools on their journey:
Nudge schools to access free, tailored help from a Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisor
Advisors use in-person visits and virtual consultations, as well as stacks of expert knowledge, to support schools. They help schools work out their current emissions, create a climate action plan, find funding, and access resources and opportunities from Let’s Go Zero and its many partners. They can also help schools align their plans to your authority’s sustainability targets and initiatives. The service is open to schools in England. Find out more.
Get buy-in for climate action from headteachers and governors
Commitment from school leaders is essential, so act early to get headteachers and governors on board. You can take inspiration from Brighton & Hove Council, who did this effectively in Our City Our World – the authority’s climate change, sustainability and environmental education programme. The council delivered tailored presentations to school governors to build support for sustainability measures.
Build the skills and knowledge of school staff
Organise training sessions for senior leadership teams and governors, business managers and estates staff. Climate Action Advisors can help run these sessions, which could cover anything from embedding sustainability in the curriculum to carbon baselining and energy efficiency measures. Find fantastic training resources in the Waltham Forest Schools Climate Action Toolkit.
Bring schools together, to share ideas and raise ambition
Uniting schools in sustainability networks will allow them to share good ideas and success stories – and foster some healthy competition to be more sustainable. Councils including Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark have created green schools networks. These meet online and in person to share challenges, opportunities and successes.
Power up with solar panels
By generating clean energy on-site, schools can lower their bills and carbon. Funding and technical support is available (Climate Action Advisors can suggest local opportunities). One great example comes from Parliament Hill School and Regent High School in London, where solar panels are set to save 30.5 tonnes of CO2 every year. Funding has come from Camden Council, the Mayor of London, community investors and other sources – with co-ordination from Power Up North London, a local volunteer-led organisation.
However your schools want to lower their emissions (and inspire their students), they don’t have to do it alone. By joining Let’s Go Zero and requesting help from the Climate Action Advisors, they can become champions of climate action in the heart of your community.
