Climate action in progress at more than 10,000 schools

Climate action in progress at more than 10,000 nurseries, schools and colleges

Climate and sustainability experts have helped more than 10,000 schools, nurseries and other education settings to take climate action.  

In total, 10,725 schools have signed up to receive support from various Department for Education-funded sustainability programmes, including the Climate Ambassadors programme, founded at the University of Reading.  

To mark the success of Climate Ambassadors over the past two years, co-leads Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (University of Reading) and Charlotte Bonner (EAUC) made visits to education settings where they have a deep, personal connection to help them develop climate action plans.  

Andrew returned to his old secondary school (Thursday, 18 September), Thomas Clarkson Academy, Wisbech and Charlotte returned to Green Hedges Day Nursery, Scarborough, which her daughter Molly attended.  

Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez said: "Coming back to my old school as a climate scientist rather than a student was just brilliant. My love of the natural world and understanding how it works started here at Thomas Clarkson. Seeing young people have the same passion to make a difference to the world and their own community is hugely inspiring. By taking some of the positive steps we outlined today, teacher and young people in the school can work together to address climate change.  

We're not just teaching about climate change—we're creating the leaders who will solve it." 

Charlotte Bonner said: “I loved being part the community at Green Hedges, and to be able to help them develop a simple but effective climate action plan was a real joy. Climate Action Plans can be developed by all education settings, from nurseries through to colleges with free support on offer to help them no matter their starting point. Climate Ambassadors all throughout England are ready to help settings – so take the opportunity to get in touch with us today and get started on taking climate action.” 

Back to school

More than 1,000 experts have now signed up to become Climate Ambassadors and deliver support for classrooms across the country. 

During his visit, Andrew and colleagues from the Climate Ambassadors and Department for Education worked with 40 young people from the Thomas Clarkson and Wisbech Academies to write draft Climate Action Plans for each setting. All of the ideas for how to take action came from the young people. At the end of the visit he spoke with the Headteacher Matt Dobbing about how these plans can be put into operation. As this happens over the next year, he will continue to support the school with future visits planned. 

During her visit, Charlotte worked with members of nursery staff to understand areas where they might make practical changes to their building to reduce energy use and save money. They also discussed ways in which the outside space at Green Hedges could be managed to support outdoor learning and greater connection to nature for young people. 

Find out more about Climate Ambassadors.