Climate Action: School Tools and Resources

Identify Quick Wins
All schools can make an instant change by targeting some easy wins to reduce carbon emissions using the Practical Path checklist which will see early results and motivate the school to move forward.

Understand Your Footprint
The Count Your Carbon Toolkit provided by Eco Schools is an interactive tool which allows schools to gradually build up information and knowledge about the school and its construction and use over time.  This information provides the essential information to deliver evidence-led solutions for lowering carbon emissions in the school.

Know Your Building Better
Gathering information about the school construction and operation is supported by  the use of the Building and Energy Self Audit tool  and also the Heating Resilience Plan tool.

Analysis of gas and electricity use
A school-specific energy management tool and education programme from Energy Sparks can help a school understand its electricity and gas use so as to make changes to become more energy efficient and fight climate change.

Access Specialist Support
In addition to the support of Diocesan Officers to church schools, there are a number of charitable companies such a Ashden Climate Action Advisers who are available to all schools and academy trusts to help start school initiates regarding their buildings, transport, menus and more.

The Climate Ambassador programme, based regionally at The Met Office, can offer support to school leaders and teachers in the development and implementation of climate action plans through specialist support, talks, workshops and activities at schools Climate Ambassadors or email. 

South West Net Zero Hub provides free strategic and technical support to the public sector and communities to develop, finance and deliver net zero energy projects.

LocatED is a limited company whose sole shareholder is the Secretary of State for Education and their role is to source sites for schools. LocatED’s ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ is a to create a service that funds and delivers decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate. The LocatED Delivery Route Map suggests a graduated approach to school decarbonisation.

Ideas and Inspiration
The Church of England website has a section intended to provide inspiration to schools and churches on the journey to Net Zero Carbon and which can also offer opportunities for curriculum and collective worship at church schools: Webinars on getting to net zero carbon | The Church of England

Eco Schools provides ideas and inspiration for schools  Taking part in the scheme can provide schools and their sustainability leads a useful framework for broader sustainability action. Click here.

Transform Our World have created an online tool,Transform our world planner to enable teachers, students and staff to identify actions they can take to reduce their school’s environmental impact.

SocieTree is a Community Interest Company whose mission is to deliver a greener more sustainable future for our society, and  includes initiatives such as the planting of micro-forests at schools (but please obtain the freeholder’s permission first!).

Church of England Dioceses throughout the country have been developing inspirational resources for schools to encourage church schools to reflect theologically and practically on the issues of climate change. Heart for the Earth is a school-based resource developed by the Diocese of St Albans.

Networks
The UK Schools Sustainability Network (UK SSN) 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.

The UKSSN Ops Group, is a network of school based operations professionals and volunteers working together to improve sustainability in schools.

Opportunities and Grants
There are grant opportunities for state-funded schools to install electric vehicle charge point sockets at the school site Workplace charging scheme for education and this grant is available until March 2025