Greener Governance
¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ's Greener Governance campaign aims to ensure all schools and trusts have a strategy for their contribution to environmental sustainability and to equip governing boards to play their role in overseeing this work.
Greener Governance progress
In our Annual Governance Survey 2024Â 61% of respondents said they had taken action on environmental sustainability in their school or trust.
The most common action schools and trusts are taking include:
- embedding environmental sustainability into the curriculum/learning
- provided opportunities for outdoor learning eg forest school, visits or trips
- energy saving measures and solar panels
- reduced waste eg recycling, composting
Guidance
Environmental sustainability: a whole school approach
This guide is designed to help governing boards understand the role of schools/trusts in improving environmental sustainability, learn from inspiring case studies, and how to lead positive change.
Where next?
Resources
Schools and trusts can access a range of resources from the Department for Education (DfE) and specialist organisations:
– a DfE initiative that gives children and young people the opportunity to lead the way in mapping, monitoring and enhancing their spaces for nature.
– scheme led collaboratively by the University of Reading and STEM Learning which aims to improve the climate education of young people and help guide schools and colleges on their path to Net Zero.
– a selection of resources to aid you in your sustainability journey.
– a free online tool to help governing boards adopt environmental sustainability as a strategic priority and for leaders to develop climate action plans.
–the national campaign uniting teachers, pupils, parents and their schools with support on setting zero carbon targets and developing roadmaps for delivery.
(UKSSN) – brings together regional networks of school staff and students from all over the UK. They share in common a focus on youth social action and sustainability education. Also see their  for school business professionals and governors.
– a process to set up and launch online elections. Online voting improves the environmental impact that your school or trust has by eliminating paper and ink waste.
– online energy analysis tool and energy education to help schools reduce their carbon footprint and teach pupils energy saving and sustainability life skills.