The back-to-school climate action push

The Department for Education has asked schools to have a climate action plan in place by the end of the year. So, as the new school year starts, where should schools begin? The Let’s Go Zero campaign offers free expert support to help schools cut emissions, save money and protect pupils from the impacts of climate change

As students across the UK settle into the new school year, education leaders are being called to prioritise a different kind of lesson plan – one that tackles the climate crisis head-on. With the clock ticking towards the government’s 2025 deadline for climate action planning in schools, the Let’s Go Zero campaign is urging schools to take immediate, practical steps to safeguard their future.

Let’s Go Zero is the national campaign uniting over 7,000 schools, colleges, and nurseries in a shared mission to become zero carbon by 2030. Now, as the new academic year begins, it’s offering schools free, expert help to meet the government’s expectations – and go even further.

The Department for Education has made its position clear that by the end of 2025, every education setting in England must have a detailed, holistic climate action plan in place. These plans are intended to help schools reduce carbon emissions, lower energy bills, and better prepare for the escalating impacts of climate change – from extreme heat to flooding and rising food costs.

To help make this ambition a reality, Let’s Go Zero is offering free one-on-one support from its team of Climate Action Advisors. These advisors work directly with school staff to co-create tailored climate action plans, identify funding streams, and implement practical, achievable changes. From energy audits and transport strategies to outdoor learning and waste reduction, the programme helps turn climate concern into measurable results.

And the results speak for themselves. Over 5,500 schools have already received guidance from a Climate Action Advisor, and more than 1,200 have developed a full climate action plan through the programme. So far, the schools involved have saved 6,164 tonnes of CO2e, with an additional 45,990 tonnes of potential savings projected based on current plans in progress. A total of £1.6 million in funding has also been unlocked to support these efforts.

The Department for Education’s official Climate Action Framework sets out four key pillars that all schools should consider when developing their plans. These include adaptation and resilience to prepare for climate impacts such as heatwaves and flooding; increasing biodiversity by enhancing school grounds and helping students connect with nature; embedding climate education and green careers into the curriculum; and cutting carbon emissions through energy efficiency, sustainable transport and procurement choices. Let’s Go Zero’s advisors are already helping schools turn these policy pillars into tangible action – in classrooms, canteens, corridors, and playgrounds.

Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero, believes this term is a crucial moment for schools to take climate leadership seriously. “No school has to do this alone. Our Climate Action Advisors are already helping thousands of schools turn ambition into action, and we’re ready to help thousands more,” Alex says. 

Climate progress in action

Many schools that have already taken part describe the programme as transformative. At Central Park Primary School in Newham, East London, a visit from Climate Action Advisor Holly Campbell revealed just how urgent action had become. The school’s playground tarmac was recorded at over 40°C on a 27-degree day – creating difficult learning conditions and real health risks for students. With Holly’s help, the school planted nine trees, creating a shaded, welcoming environment that has transformed break times and received praise from pupils and visitors alike. Sustainability lead and Year 5 teacher Shannon Griffin said the programme gave her the structure and momentum she needed. The school has since rolled out a wide range of initiatives including School Streets, food sustainability projects, a green wall, and composting - all supported by the guidance and encouragement of their Climate Action Advisor.

In Leicestershire, Karen Lambert, head of Stathern School in Melton Mowbray, worked with advisor Jelly Moring to develop a tailored action plan that quickly turned strategy into measurable impact. After identifying energy loss from draughts in windows and doors, Karen integrated sustainability into the school’s three-year development plan. She described the process as timely and proactive, allowing the school to take the lead rather than simply react to the 2025 requirement.

Meanwhile, in Coventry and Warwickshire, the Finham Park Multi-Academy Trust has seen a significant drop in energy use after support from Let’s Go Zero. At Finham Park 2 secondary school, energy consumption fell by 14 per cent in just one term, with CO2 emissions dropping by 25 per cent after the school implemented changes identified in their energy audit. The rest of the Trust’s eight schools are now adopting similar approaches, showing the power of a ripple effect when climate action is embedded into school leadership and planning.

Three quick steps to get started

Begin by signing up to Let’s Go Zero – it’s completely free and connects your school with a growing movement of over 7,000 others already taking action. Signing up is a powerful way to show your students, staff, and wider community that you’re committed to tackling the climate crisis.

Next, book a session with a Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisor. These experts provide one-to-one support tailored to your school’s unique needs, helping you create a practical climate action plan that covers everything from energy use and transport to curriculum changes and boosting biodiversity.
Then, take your first step. Start with something simple to build momentum – whether it’s organising a uniform swap, carrying out an energy audit, or planting trees to support wildlife. Every action, no matter how small, moves your school closer to a zero-carbon future.

Let’s Go Zero is coordinated by Ashden, a climate solutions charity with a long-standing reputation for supporting schools to reduce emissions, save money, and inspire students. The campaign has grown rapidly, bringing together thousands of schools in a shared commitment to a zero-carbon future. More than 7,190 UK schools have signed up to date, and that number continues to grow as awareness and urgency increase.

Let’s Go Zero is more than a campaign – it’s a movement that empowers young people to see that their voices matter, and that their schools can lead the way in building a better, more sustainable world.