Our News

Image credit: Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Schools can have a huge influence on behaviours and attitudes when it comes to the climate crisis. The incoming expectations for climate action plans and sustainability leads means that it has never been a better time for schools to explore Carbon Literacy and how it can inspire and empower your community.

The unique role of schools in the community

Schools have an enormous influence both in our communities and on our shared future by preparing the aspiring leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. They are also responsible for around a third of public sector emissions, so it is a vital space to look to decarbonise, not only resulting in lower emissions but in lower bills and improved health and wellbeing for the students and communities they are part of.

The need for sustainability in schools

The Department for Education’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy was launched in 2021 and presents the need for climate education and climate action within schools; namely, that every education setting in England must have sustainability leadership and a climate action plan. Though not statutory, the Climate and Sustainability Strategy was embraced by the devolved nations, and the different multi-academy trusts in various ways – including a comprehensive review of sustainability education in Scotland and a review of carbon footprints and climate education by United Learning.

How Carbon Literacy supports school-wide action on sustainability

Carbon Literacy is a proven tool that can help educators to develop and implement their climate action plans by providing the vital knowledge needed and encouraging a whole school response. Climate action is not something that can be done to people, but instead needs to be done by everyone. Carbon Literacy will help school settings in delivering their climate action plans.

We know the role that Carbon Literacy can play in supporting individuals to reduce not only their carbon footprint but that of their community. We know that individual action can have a huge impact on societal aims and on working towards a zero-carbon society. But Carbon Literacy is so much more than individual action; it’s about taking collective action within a setting, and as Carbon Literacy cascades across an institution, it supports a whole school shift towards sustainability. Science not only demands this shift, so does government policy. More than that, students expect it. Carbon Literacy has been proven to have an enormous impact on young people, their actions and their anxiety.

A new Carbon Literacy Toolkit course for Schools

Our new Toolkit Course for School Staff supports governors, leadership, teachers and volunteers to develop their understanding and confidence around climate education, action and leadership. This can be passed on, building up that learning in their school community; creating a movement of action which is relevant, helpful and practical, and that will show huge benefits for themselves, their school community and of course, the planet.

What’s in the course for school staff?

The Toolkit Course for School Staff harnesses the unique position of schools. It supports the development of conversation and discussion, empowering school staff with vital subject knowledge and tools to feel confident in their ability to support young people who may feel anxious or disempowered. The course is built on practical examples from real schools illustrating what is possible, and allows us to learn from each other and build on achievements. As with all Carbon Literacy courses, it details the science, the impacts of climate change, the possibilities and hope that action will bring, and the co-benefits of taking action for education settings.

Now is the time to get involved!

Join our free online launch on Thursday 5th June at 4pm.

Local to Manchester or the Northwest? Come along to the Big Day of Climate Action at Manchester Metropolitan University on Tuesday 17th June.- We’ll be holding taster sessions so you can see what the Toolkit course feels like, and we’ll be able to answer any of your questions.

Plan ahead for Carbon Literacy Action Day – on the 13th November 2025. Coinciding with the UN COP30 Climate Change Conference, the annual International Action Day is the biggest climate education-and-action training event of its kind and offers the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your Carbon Literacy training programme and demonstrate your school’s climate leadership. Find out more and register your interest.

Want to find out more? Check out our new Schools webpage, join our Schools mailing list or get in touch at [email protected].