Young people today are growing up in a world that is changing at an unprecedented speed. The climate crisis presents urgent global challenges alongside opportunities to rebuild and restore our environment.
To meet these challenges, the curriculum must do more than preserve what has always been taught. The review was an opportunity to identify the needs to evolve and to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in a rapidly changing social, economic and environmental landscape.
Whilst strong subject-specific knowledge will always remain the foundation of effective education, the review has highlighted that subject knowledge alone is no longer sufficient. The curriculum must ensure that learners can apply what they know to real-world contexts and emerging challenges.
One of the areas which consistently emerged as a priority was climate change and sustainability education. This reflects a shared desire for an education system that prepares young people not just for exams, but for active, informed and responsible participation in society.
The case for stronger climate education
The climate crisis is already reshaping our physical environment and influencing many aspects of daily life. Given its scale and significance, it is vital that young people understand the causes and consequences of climate change, as well as the solutions available to address it.
At present, the review concluded that climate education is only minimally and inconsistently included in the current national curriculum. In Science, references to climate science and mitigation are limited and, in some cases, outdated. Geography does not explicitly identify climate change within its purpose of study, despite the subject’s close links to climate and weather. There is no statutory requirement to teach climate education in Key Stages 1 and 2, and Design & Technology lacks any explicit focus on sustainability or circular economies. As a result, effective climate education often depends on the initiative of individual teachers or schools.
Teachers identified this lack of clarity and emphasis on climate as a significant barrier. Young people themselves also expressed strong concern about climate change and a clear appetite for more learning in this area.
Climate Education and the future economy
Strengthening climate education is not only a moral or environmental imperative; it is also an economic one. Addressing the climate crisis requires the rapid expansion of green technologies and industries, affecting almost every sector of the economy. The growth of the green economy is expected to significantly increase demand for STEM skills, creating new career pathways for young people.
To take advantage of these opportunities, learners need a strong grounding in climate science, sustainability and green skills. Education has a critical role in ensuring that young people are prepared for future employment while also empowering them to contribute to solutions to the climate crisis.
Embedding sustainability across the curriculum
The report recommended a more coherent and explicit approach to climate education across multiple subjects:
- Science should integrate climate science across disciplines, enabling learners to understand the scientific causes, impacts and solutions to climate change.
- Geography should explicitly embed climate change and sustainability across all key stages and within its purpose of study.
- Design & Technology should place greater emphasis on sustainability, social responsibility, inclusive design and the circular economy.
- Food and Nutrition should be broadened to include sustainability alongside practical cooking skills, food hygiene and nutrition.
- Citizenship should introduce age-appropriate learning on sustainable choices, habits and climate justice, particularly in the primary curriculum.
Looking Ahead
Curriculum content alone will not deliver meaningful change. High-quality teaching and engaging pedagogy are equally important in bringing climate education to life and helping young people connect learning to real-world challenges.
By strengthening climate education and embedding sustainability across subjects, the curriculum can better prepare learners to navigate uncertainty, seize emerging opportunities and play an active role in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.
Climate Education is perfectly placed to connect classroom learning with real, measurable behaviour change across your school. Our interactive dashboard unites everything you need in one place, from action planning and carbon calculations to practical resources and funding support.
Contact us at hello@climateeducation.co.uk to find out how we can help your school, read the full report – Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report – GOV.UK
