Climate change and sustainability: governance

Introduction

It is critical that every organisation responds to the climate emergency. For schools, the response needs to be shaped alongside meeting a range of statutory duties, operational challenges presented by a global pandemic and competing priorities. Acknowledging the emergency we all face, it is incumbent on all institutions to establish clear, time bound goals around the actions that can be reasonably be taken to reduce environmental impact and relentlessly pursue and monitor action. Given the competing priorities and limited resource envelope of schools, this means integrating climate action into Governance to ensure that progress is being made and monitored, and that the whole school community recognise the commitment to, and buy into the prioritisation of the environmental agenda.

This section provides model policies, statements and resources designed to inspire and support school leaders to keep the climate emergency as a strategic priority.

3 actions you can take now: 

1. Establish how you as a leadership team (including Governors) will plan, monitor and implement environmental action going forward. What can be achieved within the existing resource envelope and what will require additional investment? How can you ensure that the climate crisis remains on the agenda and that progress against targets is being made? Following discussion, set setting challenging yet achievable time-bound goals.
2. Set up a Climate Crisis Committee (consisting of students, staff and governors) to explore what your school can do to make a difference and report into the Governing Board.
3. Adopt an environmental action statement and publish on your website, we have provided a model template. Include specific environmental actions within your school development plan priorities.

Resources to inspire

Below you will find a selection of resources to inspire your next steps related to each of the suggested actions.

Herts for Learning podcast with Sandringham School - How green is your school?

Herts for Learning blog: Steps to sustainability: the 10-minute guide to greening your school

Headteacher Update: Perhaps the greenest school in England - an inspirational article sharing how a school in Greater Manchester has put the environment at the heart of the school

David Attenborough: Schools action workbook - downloadable pack to support a child-led action plan

Share your successes, or ask us for resources

We are keen to hear from schools on the actions they are taking to reduce climate change. Contact us at climateactionschools@hertfordshire.gov.uk to share your success stories. The most inspiring will feature in our planned digital publication “Inspiring Stories to Reduce Climate Change in Schools”.

If you require further model policies, templates or support get in touch at climateactionschools@hertfordshire.gov.uk. We of course can’t promise to always provide but are keen to support schools wherever possible.