Climate education in UK schools is a growing focus, driven by government strategies and numerous initiatives) that provide resources, practical projects, and networks for teachers and students, aiming to build skills and reduce climate anxiety by empowering action, though challenges remain with curriculum time, resources, and teacher confidence.
‘Our Climate and Sustainability Strategy is preparing schools for the climate issues we face, encouraging positive environmental behaviours and creating a better environment for children’s futures.
We want every setting, from early years to higher education, to join us in making education more sustainable and helping our children get the skills they need for a greener future.
We are updating our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, making sure it looks at how we are making sure teachers and pupils understand the support that is available to them and how their schools can thrive in a sustainable future.‘ (https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/everything-we-are-doing-in-education-to-tackle-climate-change-here-is-what-you-need-to-know/)
Key Policy and Curricular Measures
• Curriculum Integration: Climate and sustainability education are being embedded throughout the national curriculum in England, in subjects such as Science, Geography, and Design & Technology (D&T). The aim is to move beyond a fragmented approach and ensure all pupils gain a broad understanding.
• Mandatory Climate Action Plans & Sustainability Leads: All education settings are expected to have a designated sustainability lead and a comprehensive climate action plan in place by the end of 2025. These plans must address four key pillars:
o Adaptation and resilience
o Biodiversity and nature
o Climate education and green skills
o Decarbonisation and net zero
• Teacher Training: The government and partner organisations are working to provide high-quality professional development (CPD) and initial teacher training (ITT) that empowers educators to incorporate climate education confidently and effectively across all subjects.
• Climate Leaders Award: A new award is being developed to complement classroom learning and recognise students’ contributions to sustainability and climate action, with the aim of being valued by employers and further education providers.
National Programmes and Resources
The Department for Education (DfE) supports schools through several key programmes, often in partnership with expert organisations:
• The National Education Nature Park: This initiative, led by the Natural History Museum, connects schools’ land into a vast virtual nature park. It provides curriculum-linked resources and practical activities for children to get involved in improving their local environment and boosting biodiversity. • Climate Ambassador Programme: This connects schools and colleges with volunteer climate experts from universities and businesses who provide free, on-the-ground support and guidance for developing and delivering climate action plans.
• Sustainability Support for Education: This online hub provides trusted information, resources, and tools to help schools identify appropriate actions for their sustainability journey. • Let’s Go Zero: A national campaign for schools aiming to be zero carbon by 2030, offering free, tailored advice from Climate Action Advisors and support in finding funding for green projects. Challenges and Student Perspectives
Despite the initiatives, a DfE study found that many pupils have a “poor” understanding of key climate change concepts like net zero, and there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the scientific consensus. Student and teacher surveys highlight several challenges:
• Curriculum Constraints: Climate change teaching is often “siloed” in science and geography lessons.
• Teacher Confidence: Many teachers report feeling ill-equipped and lacking confidence in teaching climate-related topics or leading outdoor lessons.
• Focus on Facts over Solutions: Students desire more solutions-based teaching that relates to their own lives and empowers them to take action, rather than just learning facts, which can contribute to climate anxiety.
• Inequality: Access to high-quality climate education and green spaces can be unequal across different socio-economic backgrounds and regions of the UK.
This blog was written by Bretta Townend-Jowitt, Education Consultant and Trainer.
