Website – UKSSN Operations Group

LinkedIn – (3) UK Schools Sustainability Network Operations Group | Groups | LinkedIn

‘To meet today’s global sustainability challenges, the world needs more than a few Chief Sustainability Officers – it needs an army of employees, in all areas of the business, thinking about sustainability in their decisions every day’ (World Economic Forum)

📰 In the news this week 📰

DfE Snapshot for March 2025
DfE released its latest ‘Climate in Education‘ snapshot (March 2025). In this month’s edition:

  • 1000 Climate Ambassadors!
  • Year of Environmental Lunacy
  • Climate School 180 – Learning through Landscapes’ free climate-focused initiative (more about Climate 180 below)
  • Information you may find useful

Natural History GCSE
Last Friday, the government confirmed that the Natural History GCSE will go ahead. Teach the Future has written a great blog to help us all get up to speed and next steps in the long-running saga.

Human impact on biodiversity
Humans are driving biodiversity loss among all species across the planet, according to a synthesis of more than 2,000 studies. The exhaustive global analysis leaves no doubt about the devastating impact humans are having on Earth. The study – which accounted for nearly100,000 sites across all continents – found that human activities had resulted in “unprecedented effects on biodiversity”, according to the paper, published in Nature. On average, the number of species at human-impacted sites was almost 20% lower than at sites unaffected by humans. The analysis covered five drivers of decline: habitat change, direct exploitation of resources (such as hunting or fishing), climate change, invasive species and pollution.

Slave Labour in UK energy supply chains
China dominates the solar energy market and between 35% and 40% of polysilicon, the key raw material for solar panels, is produced in Xinjiang where the Muslim Uyghur population has been subject to arbitrary detention and forced labour. The UK the Procurement Act only applies where a company has been convicted of modern slavery in the UK or faced equivalent action abroad. David Alton, the cross-bench peer who drafted a failed amendment to the GB Energy bill said “both the last government and this one have been reluctant to move, despite the obvious moral imperative to avoid a slave-made green transition. Existing regulation isn’t working, and the Procurement Act could only bar companies if there had been a conviction either in the UK or China. It’s ludicrous to assume that Beijing is going to convict companies for participating in its own labour transfer schemes. This is a serious problem which needs primary or secondary legislation to address.”

🤔If you are installing solar PV in your school, have you asked where it is coming from? 🤔

UK Government delivery plan
On 25th March, the UK Government was ordered by the High Court to publish an updated carbon delivery plan that would meet the requirements of the Fourth and Sixth Carbon Budgets, after ruling that an earlier plan introduced by the Conservative Government was unlawful. In May 2024, the High Court ruled the UK Government’s climate action plan unlawful due to its overreliance on ‘risky technologies’ and lack of clarity on how it will meet its net-zero emissions targets by 2050. It was the second time an iteration of the plan was deemed unlawful. In 2022, environmental organisations Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth and Good Law Project took the Government to the High Court over what they deemed a deficient climate action plan.

 

🎬Ideas for Climate Action this week🎬

  • Energy – switch off for Easter
  • Fundraising – sources of funding
  • Waste Management – Simpler Recycling
  • Nature and Curriculum – Climate 180
  • Budgeting for Sustainability
  • Personal action – actions we can all take (and the co-benefits that can have)
  • Celebration – Sustainability Awards

⚡Energy⚡
Earth Day takes place every year on 22nd April to remind us of the importance of tackling climate change. This year’s theme is ‘Our power, our planet’ focussing on energy. The latest International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) annual release shows that 585GW of new “clean” power capacity was added globally last year. Renewables accounted for 92.5% of all electricity capacity brought online in 2024, with the sector delivering a record annual growth of 15.1%. Solar was “by far the fastest-growing form of renewable power”, reports Yale Environment 360, accounting for 77% of the new capacity, while wind accounted for 19%. Help celebrate Earth Day with a renewed focus on reducing energy waste in schools:

♻️Waste Management: Simpler Recycling♻️
Simpler Recycling in England: policy update – GOV.UK
There are only a few days to go to the introduction of new rules on recycling. By 31 March 2025, schools and Trusts in England will need to arrange for the collection of the core recyclable waste streams, except for garden waste (glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, and food waste).

What is Simpler Recycling?
🔹The UK Government is implementing the Simpler Recycling Legislation to standardise recycling practices across England, aiming to make recycling more straightforward for businesses, households and non-domestic premises.
🔹This legislation will reduce confusion over recyclable materials and help promote the circular economy.

The Environment Agency recently recorded a webinar on Simpler Recycling. Access the recording and helpful guide here: https://lnkd.in/e8ub_FPF

We have dedicated our next UKSSN network meeting to waste management…watch this space for more information.

🦋Nature and Curriculum: Climate 180🦋
Apply for Climate School 180 | Learning through Landscapes
Climate School 180 is Learning through Landscapes’ climate-focused initiative. The project aims to develop and share a better understanding of how schools can implement quality climate change education in their setting. Working collaboratively with us, the process will challenge your school to embed climate change as a theme across the curriculum and use the school grounds as a learning environment for all pupils. The process will also audit your outdoor space, creating the opportunity for learners to use their school grounds to consider the impact of our changing climate and the nature-based solutions we can implement.

The training and advice will support a small group of staff to develop a whole-school approach to climate change education. Successful implementation of Climate School 180 will also help develop a local context of climate change relating to broader global issues and how this affects young people.

💷Budgeting for Sustainability💷
Financial settlements for schools are more challenging that anytime in recent memory. We have a financial sustainability issue as well as an environmental sustainability issue. Can environmental sustainability and building a culture of positive climate action be a lever for longer-term financial sustainability. The clear answer is yes!

Established measures –

  • Investing in climate CPD (see below – a lot of this is free 🙂)
  • Reducing demand for energy and water
  • Investment in the expansion of renewable energy
  • Waste reduction measures
  • Switching menus from higher cost red meat to lower cost, planet-friendly, alternatives.

Emerging ideas – 

  • A budget for nature: The benefits of investing in nature range from making the school more attractive, wellbeing for staff and children, increasing biodiversity and supporting outdoor learning.
  • Financial incentives to spend less: Scope 3 emissions linked to goods and resources we buy make up 50-75% of a school carbon footprint. Agreeing a simple per-child carbon budget creates opportunity for charging a levy for exceeding their budget, with the levy used to fund new sustainability work.
  • Supplier engagement: Working with suppliers to increase their contribution to our schools through sustainability and social value initiatives. Value Match is a great place to start this conversation.
  • Monthly reporting: Introducing monthly sustainability reporting, akin to monthly financial reporting but focussed on the underlying drivers of cost and waste.

A well-designed Climate Action Plan should be at the heart of an efficient school or Trust financial plan.

💷Fundraising for Climate Action💷
In recent weeks we have been looking at fundraising for sustainability. Sustainability Support for Education has published a useful guide to help navigate some of the funding streams available to schools. If you are aware of any other funds and opportunities, please do get in touch.

Another useful resource for funds here: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/carbon-net-zero/funding-and-grants

🤔Personal Action – Co-benefits🤔
It can be difficult to know what action to take to help tackle climate change as an individual. The Met Office recently published ideas we can all consider taking that have the greatest impact. Not everyone will be able to make these changes, but it is worth reflecting on what is achievable so that our combined efforts can make a real difference. Many of these changes also have co-benefits – that’s to say they might also reduce costs, improve air quality or have a positive impact on health and wellbeing.

🥳Celebrating Sustainability: Sustainability Awards🥳
The Department for Education Sustainability Award is now open for applications (closing date 24th April). The award recognises institutions that have taken innovative, measurable, and impactful steps to embed sustainability within their operations, curriculum, and community. The winning school or college will receive a £2,500 award to further support sustainability initiatives. Awards for sustainability are great for showing other schools and Trusts what can be achieved.

🎓CPD and Support🎓

Sustainability training: Top tips for creating effective L&D initiatives which deliver results – edie

This week I had the opportunity to work with Climate Clarity to co-facilitate a Climate Fresk workshop at the Essex Sustainability in Education conference. Last week I delivered introductory training to a team of sustainability leaders at a local school. CPD schemes can be make or break for the delivery of environmental targets. Baking sustainability into an organisation needs capacity building – specifically, training and upskilling the workforce beyond the Sustainability Leadership. We know from experience this is not easy in a school environment. Common challenges:

  • Knowing where to start – there are so many training courses and topics available
  • Limited budgets
  • Competing priorities
  • The fact that sustainability is a new learning area and recommendations are unclear

To help navigate these challenges we have listed below a range of quality CPD we have engaged with and believe is of value to our sector.

DfE/ISBL Local Support Offer for Sustainability
Develop your skills across the board with our comprehensive ISBL-aligned training — ISBL
The DfE are funding in-person, practical training sessions focused on technical skills and knowledge, career development and pathways, soft skills, and capacity building. One of the eight sessions currently available is focussed on Sustainability. The sessions run for up to 3 hours and are available for up to 30 attendees per session.  The training is available to trusts and regional network groups who are interested in facilitating a session for solely their own SBPs and/or colleagues within their region. This is a fantastic opportunity to upskill and engage a group of school business leaders, estates, finance and operations professionals on sustainability and climate action.

If you are interested in finding out more information, please email: training@isbl.org.uk.

Sustainability Support for Education
Action for Climate by Sustainability Support for Education. | Eventbrite
By 2025, every school will need a Climate Action Plan to lead the way in tackling climate change. This plan will integrate sustainability into every aspect of school life, empowering students to create a sustainable future. These free interactive workshops throughout April and May are designed to help progress your climate action plan. Early Years special on 8th April at 16.00.

Carbon Literacy
Free Carbon Literacy training from Let’s Go Zero
25,000 people working in education are already Carbon Literate. There are more and more opportunities to take part in Carbon Literacy training in your local area (or online). Training our teams is often the first step in taking effective climate action. Plus…if you have not already signed up to meet with your local Climate Advisor I would urge you to make that the next step in your Climate Action Plan.

Plus: 
In June 2025 Carbon Literacy Project will be releasing a new Schools Toolkit, which has been designed for school staff in Primary and Secondary School settings. The toolkit will be a fantastic way to support other educational settings in reaching their government mandated sustainability strategies, as well as supporting your own CLE goals. If you work with schools or school settings and are interested in using the materials for delivery, then get in touch at school@carbonliteracy.com.

Water Literacy
Water Literacy | Accredited Learning Experience
Despite the UK’s rain drenched reputation, demand for fresh water increasingly outstrips supply. This creates a state of water scarcity, which has damaging environmental impacts. Despite this, water remains an undervalued, regularly wasted resource. We need a wave of change, and this course will empower you to be a part of it. Water Literacy is a learning experience to inspire, motivate and educate professionals to play their part in addressing the environmental impact of water scarcity in the UK. It is an informative, accessible, and action-orientated course. Through a single day of learning, participants are empowered to embed change at their organisations, at home, and in their communities.

People and Planet – Climate Action Plans – The Easy Way!
Select tickets – CLIMATE ACTION PLANS – The Easy Way! – Google Meet
An hour-long twilight session on 31st March at 16.00 offering all of the tools you need to create your school’s Climate Action Plan.

Salix Decarbonisation Dialogue – 13th May at 14.00
The Decarbonisation Dialogue
On Tuesday 13th May 2025 Salix is holding the next in its series of decarbonisation webinars. The webinar will provide you with an opportunity to listen, learn, contribute, question and discuss all things decarbonisation and energy efficiency with fellow public sector counterparts.

Regional and National events
Conferences and events for climate and nature are great for CPD and building your network. I have attached feedback from a recent Bedfordshire conference to give a sense of the feedback they generally receive. We promote training on the website where all Members have facility to add local or regional events.

NEW:
Keeping Kids Cool – one-day conference
Join Shade the UK and the Built Environment Trust on Wednesday 2 April 2025 for a free one-day conference bringing together experts with shared, yet diverse, perspectives on the crucial topic of children and young people’s health and wellbeing.

‘‘Through thought-provoking presentations from practitioners in the following sectors: Play, Education, Sports, Public Health, Planning, Sustainable Design, Climate Action, Product Manufacturing, and Health and Safety, we will collectively highlight the challenges, and opportunities, of hot weather for 0-18 year olds and the spaces they spend time in.”

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/keeping-kids-cool-one-day-conference-tickets-1236122829659?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

PLUS:
Here are just a few more to look forward to –

If you are planning an event let us know and we will share with colleagues in the network.

💚And finally….💚

Sustainability is becoming a mainstream way of doing business for a growing number of businesses. As someone who enjoys running it was heartening to hear London Marathon Group’s chief financial officer Jeanette Wong argues that large-scale sports events need to minimise their environmental impact and enhance environmental risk management to keep their licence to operate. For an event as massive as the London Marathon, sustainability is no longer an afterthought—it’s a necessity to maintaining a social licence to operate and building resilience.

“We understand that without sustainability, we may not be able to hold events in the future. Extreme weather conditions—heatwaves, storms, heavy winds, and flooding—are becoming more common, and they pose a real challenge to mass participation events. Investing in sustainability isn’t just about protecting the environment; it’s about ensuring our long-term financial sustainability.”

Climate change is already a reality. The decisions we all make today will determine the extent of the problem for our children and the generations after them.

Have a great weekend 💚

 

Recommended sources of advice and support

Other useful references
HM Government Net Zero Strategy (October 2021, page 29)
‘Government is leading the way – embedding climate into our policy and spending decisions, increasing the transparency of our progress on climate goals, and providing funding to drive ambitious emissions reductions in schools and hospitals.’
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6194dfa4d3bf7f0555071b1b/net-zero-strategy-beis.pdf

Department for Education Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (April 2022)
Sustainability and climate change strategy – GOV.UK

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)
Environmental reporting guidelines: including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements – GOV.UK

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Personal Data Consent

The information you submit using this form will be approved by staff before publication. If you are aged 13 or under, you will need parent/ guardian permission. For help and more details on how this data is used, please see our privacy policy.