Climate and nature action: support for schools
The Department for Education (DfE) have stated that, by the end of this year, all schools will have a sustainability lead and be implementing their own climate action plans. The DfE’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy aims to make education organisations more sustainable and help children develop skills relevant for the future. It can be difficult for those working in education to find time to research what support is available, so we’ve created a shortlist of places to find help.
There are four areas that schools need to cover in their climate action plans:
- decarbonisation
- adaptation and resilience
- improving biodiversity
- climate education and green careers
1. Helping schools to decarbonise
Like any organisation, there are many ways that schools can reduce their carbon emissions and take positive climate action. There is also an opportunity to involve students on this journey which will enable them to feel part of the solution, reduce climate anxiety, and help them develop green skills.
- Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership’s Climate Action Programme provides support and inspiration to organisations of all kinds on their climate action journey. Start with our guide to creating a climate action plan. We also have resources on reducing emissions from energy, tackling business waste, behaviour change for climate action and more. Check out our resource library for the full list.
- Sustainability Support for Education is the Department for Education’s support service with recommended actions and quality assured resources. Their Climate Ambassadors programme can match climate experts with schools to develop climate action plans.
- Transform Our World is a community of educators empowering students to take climate action with events, resources, Teacher CPD sessions plus a free Schools Climate Action Planner to enable teachers, students and staff to identify actions they can take to reduce their school’s environmental impact and carbon footprint.
- Green Schools Project is a local organisation working with schools to reduce emissions and create learning opportunities for students.
2. Helping schools adapt to a changing climate
Schools are already noticing the impacts of a changing climate, such as buildings that are at risk of flooding and overheating, staff and students struggling to get to site due to local flooding or finding it hard to concentrate on learning during a heatwave. Education settings will need to adapt on many levels to be resilient and continue to provide the essential service of educating children and young people. They also have a duty of care to staff and students, especially as children are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate.
- Arup have developed guidance for schools on actions they can take to adapt to climate change. The guidance, as well as a compendium of adaptation and resilience measures for schools can be downloaded from their website.
- At the Partnership, we have a guide on preparing your business for the impacts of a changing climate. Much of the advice is also relevant in an education setting.
3. Improving biodiversity
Nature connection is a great way into the climate conversation for students. Most schools also have some land that could be given over to improving biodiversity.
- National Education Nature Park is a programme aiming to embed nature-based learning in the curriculum, and encourage children and young people to take action to improve their school site for people and wildlife.
- Avon Wildlife Trust offer opportunities and resources for students to learn about nature including how to set up a nature club and workshops in school or at one of their sites both for students and educators.
4. Climate education and green careers
Teachers need to be supported to educate children and young people about climate change and sustainability both in and out of the science classroom. This will have a wider positive impact as students can share their learnings and positive actions with their parents, carers and community.
- Ministry of Eco is a collaboration of teachers. They focus is on bringing learning about the environment into classrooms.
- Global Goals Centre resource hub is a database of information, activities, and educational resources to help teach children about climate change through the Sustainable Development Goals.
We know there are many more tools, resources and networks and don’t want schools to feel overwhelmed by choice and therefore unable to take the next step. If you do nothing else on this today, sign up for free as a Partnership member so you can connect with others on this journey.
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