Website – UKSSN Operations Group
LinkedIn – (3) UK Schools Sustainability Network Operations Group | Groups | LinkedIn
Earlier this week we received our carbon footprint report for 2023/24 (scopes 1, 2 and 3). We work with Planet Mark to try and get an accurate a picture as possible.
😀Good news –
- 15% reduction in emissions linked to electricity and gas. We have invested time and resource into reducing the demand for energy in all of our schools and this work continues into 2025….we have a good way to go yet!
😔Not so good news –
- Scope 3 emissions – linked largely to what we buy, the waste we produce, and travel – increased by 3% in 2023/24.
Our overall footprint decreased by only 1.5%.
We can see in the data why there was an increase – capital investment in new nursery provision, wrap-around provision, an overseas trip, and ICT for teaching and learning.
Takeaways:
- At a rate of 1.5% per year it would take 66 years to get to zero 😟.
- Achieving net zero is a huge challenge, but one none of us can shy away from.
- Gas and electricity are important but only a part of the solution.
- Sustainable procurement and sustainable travel strategies are absolutely crucial elements in working towards net zero.
I would also suggest we need even greater collaboration within the sector, with our suppliers, and with local and national government to achieve our goals. I’ll update our full report to the Ops Group website for anyone interested in taking a look. Roll on 2025…let’s see what we can achieve!
In this week’s newsletter:
- IPBES Nexus Report 2024
- Energy: Holiday switch-off
- Greener Schools Index: Planning
- Flood risk: Planning
- NAEE report: Climate Education
- CPD: Upcoming sustainability events
- Careers: Job opportunity
- 🎵 The 12 days of Climate Action 🎵
🎓 IPBES Nexus Report – what can we learn🎓
IPBES Home page | IPBES secretariat
“Fragmented governance” between biodiversity, climate change, food, water and health is putting all of those systems at risk, according to a major new report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). These are interlinked crises that compound each other. The current business as usual approach is failing to tackle the drivers of these problems and how interlinked they are. Five takeaways (attributed to Carbon Brief):
- Biodiversity loss puts food and water systems, human health and the climate at risk
- Focusing solely on food security leads to ‘severe trade-offs’ with climate, water and biodiversity
- Shifting to sustainable healthy diets will benefit people and the planet
- All available options for restoring nature would also help to tackle and adapt to climate change
- Reforming financial systems can help close the biodiversity funding gap
A few questions we can ask ourselves in regards our Climate Action Plan:
- Is increasing biodiversity a priority or a nice-to-have?
- Is your Biodiversity Plan directly linked to your Education Strategy, People Strategy and your Climate Adaptation Plan?
- What are your strategies to increase the sustainability of our food whilst ensuring children have a nutritious and affordable meal? Food made up 35% of our scope 3 emissions in 2023/24.
- What proportion of your annual budget is linked to reducing your carbon footprint and increasing biodiversity?
⚡Energy: Holiday switch-off ⚡
Winter switch off | Energy Sparks
For most schools, the festive break is an opportunity for a comprehensive switch off for all but essential equipment (e.g. frost protection). Energy Sparks has plenty of advice and support for schools looking to reduce energy demand. Save carbon and save the budget (and don’t forget to celebrate the impact in the new year).
📋Greener School Index (GSI) – Planning📋
The GSI is a free tool self-assessment tool designed to support all schools, however big or small, and at whatever stage they are on their net zero journey.
- Helps you evaluate your school’s progress, strengths and areas for improvement in essential areas such as air quality, biodiversity, catering management, energy, ICT, procurement, waste management and water.
- Each completed survey generates an individual pdf report of responses that can be shared with Governors and Trustees, or used to inform a Climate Action Plan and help develop your school’s sustainability roadmap.
The initial pilot of the GSI will run until 28th February 2025 survey will help you assess your current level of climate action and identify areas for further development. Give it a try…it’s free and a very nifty planning tool.
🌊 Flood Risk – Planning 🌊
More than 6m homes at risk of flooding in England, says Environment Agency | Flooding | The Guardian
More than 6m homes in England are at risk of flooding under the latest climate projections, a study by the Environment Agency has found, rising to 8m – or one in four properties – by 2050. The risk of schools and colleges flooding is also increasing, as is the risk of disruption with employees needing to take time off, disrupted travel, and pupil absence. The NEU has some helpful advice in the event of a school flood; the DfE has advice on sustainable flood prevention strategies plus quick tips on getting ready for winter.
A few additional ideas to consider:
🛢️Create areas to store water e.g. water butts
🌳Plant trees and hedges to increase water absorption, catch rainfall and slow down surface water run-off
☘️Improve soil cover with plants to reduce water pollution and run- off
Grey to Green in Sheffield is one example of a project that has transformed areas of tarmac: write-up of nature-based solutions.
🤔 NAEE Report – Climate Education🤔
NAEE-Report-Engaging-the-Next-Generation.pdf
A recent report commissioned by UK National Association of Environmental Education (NAEE) on the state of environmental, sustainability and climate education in UK schools explores effective practices in delivering climate education whilst recognising the need for rigorous evaluation and research to identify the most effective strategies, and measurement of long-term impact and behaviour change. We need to develop evidence-based curricula and resources that are culturally relevant, socially just ad scientifically accurate. We work closely with the CAPE Alliance and there is certainly consistency in the message:
We look forward to the outcome of the Curriculum Review to see how far the DfE is willing to go to ensure effective climate education.
📅 CPD: Sustainability Events 📅
It is great to see an increase in regional and national events to support schools and Trusts, with Berkshire the most recent addition to the list. We promote events on the website, here are just a few:
- Education Estates and School Building Conference, London (28th January 2025)
- Climate and Nature Action Event in Cambridgeshire (3rd February 2025)
- East of England Sustainability in Education Series in Bedfordshire (12th February 2025)
- ASCL Annual Sustainability Conference, Manchester – 5th June 2025
PLUS – we have our next online UKSSN Ops Group network meeting on 16th January 2025 at 16.00 where we will be focussing on IT. The link to register is on the UKSSN Ops website.
PLUS – School Resource Management training (by Entrust) on ‘A Sustainable Estate and Climate Action Plans‘ running into the new year.
If you need more in-person training and support contact your regional Let’s Go Zero Climate Advisor, a free service to support all schools to reach net zero – Climate Action Advisors – Lets Go Zero.
If you are planning an event let us know and we will share with colleagues in the network.
And finally…..
2024 has been a big year for climate action in schools. Significant increase in schools engaged with the Education Nature Park and Let’s Go Zero Climate Advisors, launch of Climate Ambassadors, Sustainability Hub, ISBL sustainability standards, the FED toolkit, as well as the first ASCL national sustainability conference and lots more. As we head into the holidays, we can feel happy we are moving forward but the there is plenty more to do in 2025.
Have a great break and I’ll leave you with this:
🎵 The 12 Days of Climate Action 🎵
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A reusable cup for my tea.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven trees for planting,
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight wraps recycled,
Seven trees for planting,
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine local veggies,
Eight wraps recycled,
Seven trees for planting,
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten bars of chocolate (sustainable!),
Nine local veggies,
Eight wraps recycled,
Seven trees for planting,
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven thrifted sweaters,
Ten bars of chocolate (sustainable!),
Nine local veggies,
Eight wraps recycled,
Seven trees for planting,
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve compost bins,
Eleven thrifted sweaters,
Ten bars of chocolate (sustainable!),
Nine local veggies,
Eight wraps recycled,
Seven trees for planting,
Six bees a-buzzing,
Fiiiive solar panels!
Four bike commutes,
Three LED bulbs,
Two second-hand gifts,
And a reusable cup for my tea.