Embedding Climate Action Across Bristol’s Schools
As climate change increasingly affects communities, schools have a vital role in preparing children and young people for the future. The Climate Ambassador Programme, funded by the Department for Education, provides free specialist support to help education settings develop and implement climate action plans. In this blog, Nicki Schantz, their South West Hub Manager shares more about the programme and how you can get involved.
The Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy expects all education settings to have a climate action plan and a named sustainability lead. The Climate Ambassadors Programme provides free specialist support to help schools, colleges and nurseries develop, implement and evaluate these plans through a whole-institution approach focused on four pillars: decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, and climate education and green careers.
Moving from aspiration to action
In Bristol, a coordinated approach between the Climate Ambassador Programme at UWE Bristol, the council and education settings is helping move schools beyond individual environmental projects towards a strategic, whole-school approach to sustainability.
Every Local Authority funded school in Bristol is now connected with a Climate Ambassador. There are many more schools in the Bristol area to connect with and we also want to expand support in adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, climate education, green careers, decarbonisation and sustainability leadership so would love to welcome more volunteers into the programme.
Climate Ambassadors support schools in three key ways:
- Strategic support through climate action planning and leadership guidance.
- Implementation support for curriculum development, projects and sustainability initiatives.
- Capacity building by encouraging governors, senior leaders and sustainability leads to become Climate Ambassadors themselves.
Ambassadors are providing practical support enabling schools to move from aspiration to measurable and meaningful action.
Embedding climate action
Bristol schools are already delivering a range of environmental initiatives, but engagement, confidence and understanding varies significantly. Schools have highlighted challenges in developing climate action plans, securing leadership engagement, accessing specialist expertise, identifying funding opportunities and measuring impact.
The programme is strengthening links between education, industry and the wider community, creating opportunities for innovation, shared learning and long-term cooperation. Schools have benefited from access to specialist knowledge and support that may otherwise have been unavailable.
Schools are reporting greater understanding of climate action planning, increased awareness of funding opportunities and stronger networks for sharing effective practice. Key learnings so far include:
- Take a strategic, a whole-school approach to sustainability by integrating it into existing priorities rather than treating it as an additional responsibility.
- Climate action is not only as an environmental issue, but also an educational, financial and safeguarding priority. The effects of climate change on wellbeing, health, attendance and future opportunities make it relevant to every school community.
- Successful climate action must be embedded throughout the school setting and supported at every level.
- Climate action is most effective when it is embedded within school improvement priorities and actively championed by senior leaders and governing bodies.
- Sustainability, climate and nature should be woven into existing teaching and learning rather than taught as standalone subjects. A cross-curricular approach helps pupils understand the interconnected nature of environmental challenges while making learning more relevant to their lives and future careers.
- Sustainability can support educational outcomes, financial resilience and pupil wellbeing.
Support your local school
Our experience in Bristol demonstrates that when schools, local authorities, universities, businesses and community partners work together, climate action can become an integral part of educational excellence. By embedding sustainability into leadership, curriculum and culture, Bristol is creating a model that benefits pupils today while helping prepare future generations for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Express your interest in becoming a Climate Ambassador by completing this form or email nicki.schantz@uwe.ac.uk for more information. You do not need expertise in every aspect of climate action planning to become a Climate Ambassador. Training, support and DBS checks are provided free of charge.
Share to
