Funded by the DfE, Climate Ambassadors match volunteer climate experts with education settings.
Part of Let’s Go Zero, Climate Action Advisors are independent experts who offer free support for schools, colleges, and nurseries across England.
All settings are required to have a climate action plan, but a sustainability strategy can be used instead - you do not need both. Larger settings or groups may choose a strategy where a longer-term approach adds value.
About
A sustainability strategy sets out your setting’s vision, goals and priorities for improving sustainability over 3–5 years.
It brings together activity across energy, waste, travel, procurement, biodiversity and climate education into a single framework with clear timelines, responsibilities and metrics to monitor progress.
Why
Developing a sustainability strategy turns your vision into a coordinated, long-term programme of action. It provides a practical framework to:
- Prioritise effectively: decide what to tackle now, and help you plan ahead
- Improve coordination: align efforts with other teams, departments and suppliers
- Formalise existing work: bring related plans and activities together
- Build accountability: clarify roles and responsibilities, and track progress over time
- Demonstrate commitment: show leadership, governors, learners, and parents and carers your setting’s commitment to sustainability
How
A sustainability strategy may be particularly useful for a larger setting or group, such as a college, MAT, nursery group or university, that wants to establish a shared, longer-term approach to sustainability.
If you are part of a group, check with your leadership or central team whether a strategy covering sustainability already exists. This may be sufficient for your needs or could be expanded to include your specific priorities. A MAT, for example, may have a central sustainability strategy, with individual settings developing their own tailored climate action plans.
Resources
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Strategies, policies and plans for sustainability at Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan UniversityFree