On 21 April 2022, the Department for Education (DfE) published a policy paper [1] for English schools entitled

Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems

It says the DfE has an important role to play in all aspects of sustainability, and the area in which it has most work to do is reducing England’s environmental footprint, particularly in the drive to achieve net zero.

DfE and the education sector have a joint responsibility for preparing children and young people for the challenges and opportunities they will face – with the appropriate knowledge, skills and pastoral care.

Secretary of State, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “We commit to the integration of sustainability and climate change in formal education systems, including as core curriculum components, in guidelines, teacher training, examination standards and at multiple levels through institutions.”

There has been much praise and some criticism of the strategy. See here for some of them.

Outline of the Strategy

Vision

The DfE’s vision is to make the United Kingdom the world-leading education sector in sustainability and climate change by 2030. They say in England, we will achieve this through the following strategic aims:

• Excellence in education and skills for a changing world: preparing all young people for a world impacted by climate change through learning and practical experience.
• Net zero: reducing 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.
• Resilience to climate change: adapting our education and care buildings and system to prepare for the effects of climate change.
• A better environment for future generations: enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality and increasing access to, and connection with, nature in and around education and care settings.

Targets

The Strategy envisions the whole physical education estate as a virtual  National Education Nature Park.

A Climate Leaders Award will complement classroom learning and allow England to celebrate and recognise education providers, children and young people.

Senior leadership teams and governors.need to provide Sustainability Leadership. But leaders will need more support to:

• share best practice
• access funding
• develop networks

Action Areas

Action area 1: Climate education

1. Learning about the natural environment
2. Support for teaching
3. Learning in the natural environment

By 2025 DfE aims to introduce a natural history GCSE, giving young people a further opportunity to engage with and develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the natural world. In studying this GCSE, young people will explore organisms and environments in more depth, gain knowledge and practical experience of fieldwork and develop a greater understanding of conservation.

Action area 2: Green skills and careers

1. Net Zero Strategy
2. Additional support for green jobs and skills
3. Support and guidance for green careers

Action area 3: Education estate and digital infrastructure

1. New builds and new blocks
2. Existing estate
3. Resilience, adaptation, access to Nature and environment conditions
4. Heating solutions
5. Water strategy
6. Reporting Frameworks, Reporting Processes and Targets

Action area 4: Operations and supply chains

Action area 5: International

Champion education and learning on the global stage
Inspire, share and learn
Trade and exports
International initiatives

Leadership, engagement and next steps

References

[1] Government page announcing policy paper: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy/sustainability-and-climate-change-a-strategy-for-the-education-and-childrens-services-systems