Develop your school's climate action plan

Inspire your school community with a climate action plan and build a greener, healthier future together.

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing our world today, and it's vital we all come together to create a more sustainable and resilient environment for future generations.

For this challenge, we're inviting schools across the whole of the UK to create or strengthen a climate action plan which incorporates trees, outdoor learning and our Green Tree Schools Award.

We’ve got lots of resources to help you set and achieve your sustainability goals. You can also use many of our Green Tree Schools Award challenges to demonstrate evidence of pupil engagement, climate and environmental education, and biodiversity initiatives.

How to complete this challenge

This challenge is worth two points on our Green Tree Schools Award.

To earn your points, your school needs to demonstrate how you've incorporated trees and outdoor learning into your climate action plan using our Green Tree Schools Award challenges.

By completing these challenges as part of your plan, you can also earn further points that will help your school progress on the award.

What is a climate action plan?

A climate action plan is a detailed document that sets out your school's sustainability goals. You can use it to identify climate-friendly actions and record progress against your targets. These could include:

• reducing your school’s carbon footprint

• increasing biodiversity in your school grounds

• planting trees with your local community

• teaching pupils about green skills and careers.

In England, the Department for Education (DfE) expects all education settings to appoint a sustainability lead and develop a climate action plan. This includes early years settings, schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges and universities. We encourage you to find out who the sustainability lead is in your school and work with them on this challenge.

While it’s not currently required in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, creating a climate action plan is an excellent opportunity to get ahead of legislation. There are also many benefits for your pupils, staff, wider community and the environment.

Why is a climate action plan important?

A climate action plan can help your school deliver lasting benefits for people, nature and the planet. With your plan, you can:

• bring your whole school community together, creating a shared vision that everyone can be proud of

• help nature thrive by enhancing biodiversity, improving outdoor spaces and strengthening connections with the natural world

• identify practical ways to reduce emissions, save energy and water, and make your school site greener

• inspire and empower young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make a positive difference for their future and the environment

• deliver long-term benefits for your school by reducing energy and resource costs, building resilience and celebrating your sustainability achievements.

Ideas for your climate action plan

We have lots of resources and activities to help you incorporate trees and nature into your climate action plan.

Your plan should be tailored to your school's unique needs and priorities. For schools in England, it should also align with the four key pillars set out by the DfE. To help you get started, we've suggested some ideas for each pillar below, though you may find that many activities support more than one area.

1. Adaptation and resilience

How your setting is preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change.

• Apply for a free tree pack. Empower your pupils with a hands-on planting project that will fight climate change, provide shade, improve air quality and support wildlife.

• Deliver an assembly about planting trees. Inspire KS2 pupils with this uplifting story about how one person made a lasting impact on their community.

• Improve wellbeing in your school. Use the power of nature to boost the wellbeing and resilience of your students and staff.

• Celebrate extraordinary trees. Invite your pupils to celebrate the trees in their lives and think about how to protect them from climate change.

• Map existing trees in your grounds or local area. Help KS3 students record trees around your school. Use this information to identify areas which would benefit from more trees.

2. Biodiversity and nature

Efforts to protect and enhance nature and wildlife within your setting and its surroundings.

• Learn about plants and animals. Use our wildlife ID sheets to help pupils discover native species living in your school grounds and the local environment.

• Be a hedgerow hero. Investigate hedgerow habitats to learn why they are vital for a healthy planet and have a go at planting your own.

• Increase nature connectedness. Give students meaningful opportunities to connect with the natural world, helping them thrive.

• Make your school grounds nature-friendly. Build bird boxes, minibeast homes or feeders to help wildlife.

• Start an environmental campaign. Encourage students to use their voices and stand up for woods and trees.

• Become an ambassador for woods and trees. Share your enthusiasm for trees and spread the word that woods are good for us all!

• Improve the environment in your local area. Help KS3 students design a community tree planting project.

3. Climate education and green careers

How learners are supported to understand climate change, sustainability and develop relevant skills.

• Deliver an assembly about the power of trees. Educate KS3 students about the incredible ways trees fight climate change, benefit people and support the planet.

• Explore the role of trees in the global carbon cycle. Teach KS3 students about the importance of trees for our atmosphere, and how planting trees is an effective way to tackle climate change.

• Learn about tree equity. Use our tool to discover your school’s Tree Equity Score and find out how it can help communities tackle the effects of climate change.

• Go green in 15. Discover 15 eco challenges that will help pupils enjoy outdoor learning while contributing to a greener, healthier environment.

4. Decarbonisation and net zero

Actions to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, working towards net zero.

• Cut CO₂ emissions. Discover ideas to help you reduce your school’s carbon footprint by saving energy and promoting green travel.

• Boost recycling efforts. Harness pupil power to cut your school’s waste.

• Use recycled materials for art. Help KS3 students learn about sustainability and climate change through an art project.

How to claim your points

This challenge is worth two points on our award scheme.

To claim them, you need to share your climate action plan and highlight which Green Tree Schools Award challenges you'll be doing to achieve your goals.

To submit your evidence, log onto your Green Tree Schools Award dashboard and click the 'Submit evidence' button at the top right of the screen. Complete the form to tell us about your climate action plan and we’ll award your points within 10 working days.

Boost your points by completing more challenges

You earn additional points for each Green Tree Schools Award challenge you complete as part of your climate action plan.

You'll need to submit separate evidence for each challenge on your Green Tree Schools Award dashboard.

How we use quotes and photos

We like to use comments and photos from schools to inspire other teachers and young people about outdoor learning. With your permission, they could appear on our award materials, website, press releases and social media.

You can find out more about how we use and look after your personal information in our privacy policy.