Home / Schools' month of climate action in full swing
Schools' month of climate action in full swing
EB News: 24/06/2024 - 10:22
The month of climate action for schools is in full swing, with students and teachers from across the country taking part in environmental activities from 7 June to 5 July as part of Let's Go Zero's Climate Action Countdown.
Activities include uniform swap shops, spotlighting green careers, vertical gardening, building bug houses, active travel adventures, petitioning and sustainability bingo.
Sam Luker, Chief Operating Officer, Trinitas Academy Trust, said: “We have 7 schools in South London and jumped at the chance of joining Let’s Go Zero’s Climate Action Countdown in June with engaging activities for the pupils, awareness assemblies and the creation of their own manifestos. And behind the scenes the Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisers have supported Trust leaders to draft our climate action plan and conduct site audits. This free support has been invaluable to the Trust and I don’t know how we would have got to this point without their help.”
Lee Hughes, Chief Operating Officer from Peterborough Diocese Education Trust, said: “The Climate Action Countdown is an outstanding opportunity for our school communities to come together and show leadership in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and act positively on the government’s climate change strategy for education.
“As a Multi Academy Trust of 33 Church of England primary schools, we aspire to act now, engaging our staff, children and communities to make sustainable changes. No action is too small, and we want to encourage our schools to embrace the climate challenge and show that positive steps can be taken, even with really old estates!"
Schools and communities access a range of free Climate Action Countdown resources – including activity packs, assemblies, music videos, posters, quizzes, worksheets and a calendar of daily inspiration. Suggested activities to choose from including learning the SOS For the Earth song, enjoying a plant-based picnic, setting up a Pop-Up Clothes Swap Shop, or holding a talking session on eco-anxiety.
There is also a step-by-step activity guide to explain each day’s challenge and regular ‘how-to’ emails to make the month’s activities as easy for busy teachers and community leaders as possible – and the chance to win some fantastic sustainability prizes along the way.
Charlotte Milner, Schools Climate Action Manager for Brent Council, said: “Schools in the Kingsbury and Kenton areas are teaming up for the Kingsbury and Kenton Climate Action Month. The schools are taking part in several of the Climate Action Countdown initiatives, including Sing to Save the Earth, the Big Weekend Switch-Off and What a Waste. Pupils are taking part in the competition with Brent by sending photos of themselves and their households engaging in sustainable behaviours such as recycling and planting! We can’t wait to see how these activities support young people in making an impact on the local community!”
More than one in ten UK schools are signed up to Let’s Go Zero and are supported by coalition members which include WWF, Surfers Against Sewage, Ashden, Fairtrade, Ecoschools, Global Action Plan, Sustrans, The Tree Council, Energy Spark, ProVeg, Young Climate Warriors, Green School’s Project, Carbon Trust, Climate Friendly Schools, Modeshift Stars, Young People’s Trust for the Environment, and WRAP, all of which have created activity days during the month and provided resources for schools. Climate Action Experts are also available to come to schools and deliver assemblies.
Sign up to the Climate Action Countdown here then share your climate activities by tagging @letsgo_zero on social media and using the hashtag #ClimateActionCountdown.
The IFS's report on school spending in the Scottish Budget 2025-26, found that by 2040, the number of pupils in Scotland is estimated to be 90,000 fewer.
The government has announced £30 million to provide Bikeability cycle training to children, as part of almost £300 million to boost active travel in England.