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Greener governance

Greener Governance

NGA's Greener Governance campaign aims to ensure all schools and trusts have a strategy for their contribution to environmental sustainability and to equip governing boards to play their role in overseeing this work.

Campaign
14/11/2024

Greener Governance progress

In our Annual Governance Survey 2024 61% of respondents said they had taken action on environmental sustainability in their school or trust.

The most common action schools and trusts are taking include:

  • embedding environmental sustainability into the curriculum/learning
  • provided opportunities for outdoor learning eg forest school, visits or trips
  • energy saving measures and solar panels
  • reduced waste eg recycling, composting
school-environment pupils running on field

Guidance

Environmental sustainability: a whole school approach

This guide is designed to help governing boards understand the role of schools/trusts in improving environmental sustainability, learn from inspiring case studies, and how to lead positive change.

Read the guide
Decorative

Where next?

Line of people talking holding a meeting
E-learning
Environmental sustainability: the governance role
Training
Environmentally sustainable schools
Man talking over the notes from the meeting
Webinar
Greener Governance: a whole school approach

Resources

Schools and trusts can access a range of resources from the Department for Education (DfE) and specialist organisations:

National Education Nature Park – a DfE initiative that gives children and young people the opportunity to lead the way in mapping, monitoring and enhancing their spaces for nature.

Climate Ambassadors – free scheme funded by the DfE which aims to match environmental sustainability experts with schools to guide them on their path to Net Zero.

Climate action planning template – explore the free support and guidance from the DfE’s funded initiative to create climate action plans.

DfE resource hub – a selection of resources to aid you in your sustainability journey.

SchooliP audit tool – a free online tool to help governing boards adopt environmental sustainability as a strategic priority and for leaders to develop climate action plans.

Let’s Go Zero –the national campaign uniting teachers, pupils, parents and their schools with support on setting zero carbon targets and developing roadmaps for delivery.

UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) – brings together regional networks of school staff and students from all over the UK. They share in common a focus on youth social action and sustainability education. Also see their ops group for school business professionals and governors.

Choice Voting – a process to set up and launch online elections. Online voting improves the environmental impact that your school or trust has by eliminating paper and ink waste.

Energy Sparks – online energy analysis tool and energy education to help schools reduce their carbon footprint and teach pupils energy saving and sustainability life skills.

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