DfE launches Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

The Department for Education has launched its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, which has a vision for the United Kingdom to be the world-leading education sector in sustainability and climate change by 2030.

It aims to do this by preparing all young people for a world impacted by climate change through learning and practical experience. To do this, a new Natural History qualification will be launched by 2025 and will enable young people to explore the world by learning about organisms and environments, environmental and sustainability issues, and gain a deeper knowledge of the natural world around them.

The strategy also aims to reduce direct and indirect emissions from education and care buildings, driving innovation to meet legislative targets and providing opportunities for children and young people to engage practically in the transition to net zero.

The strategy also aims to make the education estate resilient to climate change by adapting education buildings and system to prepare for the effects of climate change.
    
It also aims to create a better environment for future generations by enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality and increasing access to, and connection with, nature in and around education and care settings.

The government will also confirm its plans to accelerate the rollout of carbon literacy training to support at least one sustainability lead in every locally maintained nursery, school, college and university. The training will support settings to develop climate action plans that will bring together and drive activity to improve climate education, put in place measures to protect them against the effects of climate change, and increase climate resilience through adaptation initiatives.

The Education Secretary will also pledge greater support for teaching climate change at all levels and by 2023 there will be new requirements for further education teachers to build sustainability into their teaching.

The rollout of ultra-low carbon education buildings will also be accelerated, and by 2025 at least four schools and one college will have been built via the Gen Zero Platform that the department demonstrated at COP26.

The strategy also details the development of additional measures first announced at COP26. This includes the National Education Nature Park that will help children and young people to get more involved in the natural world. It will help the increase of biodiversity in the grounds of their nursery, school, or college by them taking small steps, such as installing bird feeders and ‘bug hotels’.

Teachers will be provided with free, high-quality climate education resources as part of the Nature Park hub. Children and young people will also be able to undertake a new Climate Award in recognition for their work to improve their environment, with a prestigious national awards ceremony held every year. The Climate Leaders Award will help children and young people develop their skills and knowledge in biodiversity and sustainability and celebrate and recognise their work in developing their skills and knowledge.