What's one of the most important roles in UK education right now? It's the Sustainability Lead! As per the latest Department for Education (DfE) sustainability and climate change strategy, in line with the UK Government’s Net Zero initiative, all schools must have a nominated sustainability lead in place by now.
With new DfE sustainability and Net Zero requirements changing rapidly, schools and MATs are under pressure to cut emissions, report accurately, and prove meaningful climate progress.
However, many Sustainability Leads are new to the role, and have limited time, experience and guidance. Because Sustainability Lead responsibilities aren't always clear, we've created a helpful blog that breaks down exactly what the role involves and how you can make an immediate impact without getting overwhelmed.
Throughout this blog, we will explore:
- What a Sustainability Lead is
- Why you need a school Sustainability Lead
- Sustainability leadership responsibilities
- How iAM Compliant can help your school stay sustainable
Let’s dive in!
What is A Sustainability Lead?
A Sustainability Lead is an individual within your school or MAT who is responsible for creating and overseeing sustainability initiatives. With a recent survey revealing 85% of students agree that schools and colleges should be doing more to help the environment, appointing a Sustainability Lead ensures your school is aligned with the latest environmental goals, Net Zero schools requirements and sustainable practices.
DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy
As part of the UK Government's updated Net Zero Initiative, aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the Department for Education (DfE) have implemented a sustainability in schools UK strategy to ensure educational institutions remain compliant with new regulations. The DfE sustainability guidance for schools is very clear: Every school must now have a dedicated Sustainability Lead to guide staff on energy efficiency, waste management, and climate change education.
At iAM Compliant, we are committed to streamlining the sustainability compliance process for schools and MATs across the UK. iAM Sustainable will help ensure your school stays eco-conscious and compliant.
Why You Need A School Sustainability Lead
Appointing a dedicated Sustainability Lead is required, but it also offers a number of benefits for schools. Your Sustainability Lead can empower students and staff to play an active role in supporting a greener future, identify ways to reduce carbon emissions, and offer expertise and guidance. Our Sustainability & Net Zero Training for Schools helps to give your Sustainability Lead the tools and training they need.
Sustainability Leadership Responsibilities
So, what does a Sustainability Lead do? Sustainability leadership is pivotal in ensuring your school meets the latest government sustainability in schools UK requirements and creating an understanding of climate change across the school community. A school Sustainability Lead has a wide range of responsibilities, from driving eco-conscious initiatives to identifying wasteful areas and reducing overall carbon emissions.
Here are some of the key actions a Sustainability Lead will oversee:
- Track & Report on Sustainability Strategy - Regular emissions monitoring and reporting are essential to achieving net-zero targets across the UK. Carbon reporting in schools must be done, and with iAM Sustainable, you can easily track and manage energy data and create a detailed plan for sustainability to ensure your school remains compliant.
- Engage Students & Staff - With recent data revealing 71% of students are interested in learning more about the environment, teaching sustainability in schools is more important than ever. At iAM Compliant, we offer FREE resources on Sustainability in Education, and how to create a Climate Action Plan, so your Sustainability Lead can reinforce the importance of environmental stewardship and create a comprehensive climate strategy.
- Energy Management & Waste Reduction - Around 80,000 tonnes of food waste are generated by UK schools every year. With specialist sustainability leadership, you can promote recycling programmes and energy-efficient measures to encourage carbon footprint reduction and minimise your school or MAT’s overall waste output.
- Co-ordinate with the Wider Community - A school Sustainability Lead may work with local authorities, councils and environmental groups to share best practices, collaborate on sustainability in schools projects and stay aligned with DfE sustainability and climate change strategy targets.
- Stay Informed on Sustainability Updates - Staying up to date with the latest sustainability in schools policies and trends is a crucial responsibility of your school's Sustainability Lead. With iAM Sustainable, you can stay on top of environmental news with our AI-driven sustainability news updates.
iAM Sustainable
The Future of Sustainability in Schools, UK
At iAM Compliant, we are dedicated to simplifying the sustainability journey of schools and MATs across the UK. With our sustainability feature on our award-winning web-based compliance tool, you can ensure complex sustainability challenges are resolved and align your sustainability policies with the DfE sustainability and climate change strategy.
Our specialist web-based compliance tool aims to support schools with emissions tracking, meeting DfE sustainability goals and prioritising energy efficiency. Ensure your appointed Sustainability Lead is fully equipped for the role with our 10+ new Sustainability courses, IOSH-approved and CPD-accredited.
Ready to empower your Sustainability Lead and take the stress out of Net Zero compliance? Start your journey with our FREE Climate Action Plan builder, explicitly designed for schools and MATs.
Build your CAP in minutes, track emissions, and align with the current DfE guidance and your school sustainability strategy with confidence.
Need extra support? You can also explore our FREE Sustainability Guide for schools.
