10 Sustainability Practices to include in your School's Climate Action Plan

10 Sustainability Practices to include in your School's Climate Action Plan

As UK educational institutions work towards meeting the 2025 Department for Education (DfE) and UK Government Net Zero targets, sustainability in schools and MATs has become a priority. Implementing a school sustainability strategy is vital for a greener future, from energy efficiency to providing students with environmental resources.

But how can you make your school more sustainable? It starts with embracing eco-conscious practices that comply with regulations and create a lasting, positive impact on your wider school community. 

That all begins with creating a Climate Action Plan, something that EVERY school must do this year to meet DfE guidelines. Unfortunately, there's a large percentage of schools that still haven't completed one and aren't yet on their journey to sustainability! That's something we can help with.

In this blog, we will explore: 

• The importance of eco-friendly practices in your school or MAT

• 10 simple environmental practices your school can implement using your Climate Action Plan as a guide

• Sustainability activities for your students

• How iAM Sustainable by iAM Compliant can help you prioritise sustainability

How to Make A School More Sustainable 

Making your school or MAT more sustainable requires a combination of communication, commitment and daily action from both students and staff. It isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements - it’s about instilling an eco-conscious culture across the school community. 

Some key elements of centralising sustainability in your school include creating a comprehensive Climate Action Plan, appointing a school Sustainability Lead and measuring your goals. With our latest iAM Sustainable software, you can easily develop environmental impact strategies, track carbon emissions and provide tailored training for your staff.

With a Climate Action Plan in place, you'll have everything you need to set goals, track progress and take meaningful steps towards school sustainability. We can help you make one, directly in the iAM Sustainable Platform.

The Importance of Eco-Consciousness in Your School or MAT

Many educational experts have conducted climate data-driven studies to highlight the vital role sustainability plays in shaping the future of schools and MATs across the UK. We have compiled the statistics below: 

• In 2020-2021, 71% of students stated they wish to learn more about the environment and sustainability practices. 
   
• A July 2024 study revealed that 56% of students want to do more to look after the environment. 
  
  
• In 2019, 70% of UK teachers stated they had not received adequate training to educate students on climate change.
  
  
• A 2022 survey indicated that 43% of teachers want to see climate change incorporated into the national curriculum with as much emphasis as core subjects.
  

Sustainability Activities 

10 Simple Environmental Practices Your School Can Implement 

Implementing greener practices in your school may seem overwhelming, but there are many simple and effective ways you can make a difference. We’ve outlined 10 easy environmental practices your school can start using today to build a more sustainable future: 

Sustainability Projects for Students

Creating sustainability projects for students is an excellent way to educate them on environmental awareness while making a real difference in their wider community. Below are some sustainability ideas for schools to engage your students with meaningful action, inside and outside of the classroom: 

1. Upcycling & Repurposing Workshop
Encourage students to turn wasted materials into useful items with an upcycling workshop. For a creative challenge, schools and MATs can participate in Junk Kouture, a global competition where students (aged 12-19) design fashion pieces from 100% recycled materials. Explore their 10 Lesson Plan for more information! 

2. Cycle to School Initiative
For UK schools, Bikeability have created a ‘Cycle to School’ initiative, aiming to encourage students to consider sustainable, healthy travel options. With events like Cycle to School Week and WOW (Walk to School), students can develop confidence, improve their physical fitness and contribute to a greener future. 

3. Free Trees for Schools
Environmental organisations such as the Woodland Trust and Trees for Cities provide free tree packs for UK schools, including resources for tree planting and care to foster sustainability efforts and engagement. Schools can even be rewarded for their environmental efforts through the ‘Green Tree Schools Award’ programme! 

4. OVO Foundation Nature Prize
OVO Foundation and Let’s Go Zero have teamed up to create a 3-year sustainability competition, where schools create projects based on environmental awareness and biodiversity. The sustainability initiative will award 25 UK schools a year with cash prizes of £1,000 or £200 for their projects, bringing students closer to nature. 

Discover iAM Sustainable

Your Trusted Partner in School Sustainability & Compliance 

Building a sustainable school can be complex - you need the right tools and strategies, communication processes and monitoring techniques. With iAM Sustainable, our cost-effective software empowers you to track energy consumption, create sustainability projects for students and ensure your staff have the right training to stay compliant with environmental regulations. 

Whether you need environmental sustainability ideas for school or ways to track your progress, we’ve got you covered. Our award-winning web-based software tool allows you to make lasting change for your school community.

Ready to start your journey to a greener, compliant school? Create your FREE Climate Action Plan today and start building a sustainable future for education!