How can schools take the lead on climate action? It starts with carbon literacy, says Carmen Venier, Sustainability Education & Engagement Officer at sustainability charity Change Agents UK.
The climate crisis is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and as education professionals, it’s critical we think about how we can all contribute to solutions.
As centres of community life and learning, schools can be a powerful force in the fight against climate change. They can influence a huge variety of people – from students and staff to families and local networks.
By integrating sustainability into their operations, curriculum, and culture, schools can not only reduce their own carbon footprints – they can also inspire others to do the same. Whether it’s through climate-conscious policies or empowering staff with knowledge and training, schools can lead by example and become powerful agents of change.
An effective way to strengthen your school’s climate action journey is to enrol on a carbon literacy training course delivered by Change Agents UK in partnership with Climate Education.
This online course, certified by The Carbon Literacy Project, equips school staff with a clear understanding of climate science, the impact of everyday decisions, and practical steps for reducing emissions within their school. Best of all, Climate Education members get an exclusive discount (scroll down to find out more).
What is carbon literacy?
The Carbon Literacy Project defines carbon literacy as ‘an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis’.
The aim of the Carbon Literacy Project is to offer everyone a day’s worth of carbon literacy training, which covers climate change, carbon footprints, how you can do your bit, and why it is relevant in your community and place of work. The Project has now certified over 125 000 people as carbon literate!
Becoming carbon literate will empower you to lead carbon initiatives with confidence, make informed choices, and drive meaningful change across your school community.
What are the benefits of carbon literacy?
Carbon literacy training provides the tools, motivation and support network to influence colleagues, leaders, and students to make sustainable choices – and make meaningful and significant reductions in carbon emissions in your school.
Becoming carbon literate will also give you the knowledge and confidence to develop and implement a Climate Action Plan.
Climate Action Plans in schools
In 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) published its sustainability and climate change strategy for education, requiring all education settings to nominate a sustainability lead and put in place a Climate Action Plan by the end of 2025. The strategy is helping the UK government achieve its goal of hitting Net Zero by 2050.
A Climate Action Plan is a detailed plan of how your school will progress or commence its own sustainability initiatives. Climate Education members can create and update their plans on the Dashboard. Action plans should cover these four main areas:
- Decarbonisation: Reducing carbon emissions and becoming more energy efficient
- Adaptation & Resilience: Taking actions that will reduce the risk of and create more resilience to climate effects, like flooding
- Improving Biodiversity: Increasing the diversity of species around the school and community
- Increasing Climate Education: Ensure that the education provided is comprehensive about climate change and that educators feel empowered to deliver it
Schools are places of learning – but they’re also community hubs, workplaces, and influential institutions that can drive real change. A Climate Action Plan can be the first step towards that change.
How can I become carbon literate?
Interested in becoming carbon literate and making a difference in your school community this spring?
Change Agents UK have Carbon Literacy for Schools online training sessions taking place on 29 April, 6 May, and 13 May, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
These training sessions cover the role of schools in combatting climate change, reducing emissions, increasing biodiversity, and improving climate education in schools.
They equip school teams with practical tools to reduce emissions, help embed sustainability in decision-making, and foster a culture of climate responsibility across the whole school community.
To find out more, visit Change Agents UK’s Eventbrite page here or visit their website to see more of their programmes.
Climate Education members can find their exclusive discount code in the Training area of the dashboard.
