First Steps to Creating Your Climate Action Plan (CAP)
The Department for Education has stated, “By 2025, all education settings will have nominated a sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan.”
It may sound daunting, but the key is to take your first steps now.
Why Start Now?
Creating a Climate Action Plan will bring benefits that go beyond compliance. It will enhance your students’ environmental education, help reduce your daily running costs, and strengthen your reputation.
Key benefits include:
● Green education opportunities that prepare students for climate action, develop environmental skills, and open conversations about careers in the green sector.
● Improved wellbeing for students and staff through greater engagement with the natural world.
● Lower energy and running costs through energy-efficient resources and green energy options.
● Enhanced reputation for your school, college, or MAT within the community and the education sector.
Underpinning the DofE plan is a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2037 across all education settings. The clock is ticking.
Where to Start?
All Climate Action Plans must include at least one action in each of these areas:
● Decarbonisation – reducing your carbon footprint by becoming more energy efficient.
● Adaptation and resilience – protecting your estate from flooding or overheating, with a focus on future-proofing.
● Biodiversity – enhancing the local environment by working with green agencies and partners.
(See our post on green agencies and resources for inspiration.)
● Climate education and green careers – embedding climate literacy and green skills into your curriculum.
Start by appointing a sustainability lead and a senior leadership team, including governors and trustees, where appropriate. Your CAP should be owned by everyone: staff (teaching and operational), leadership, students, parents, and your wider community. The more voices involved, the more successful and embedded your plan will be.
Create Your Plan
For each focus area, your plan should include:
● Goals
● Actions
● Steps to achieve them
● Timelines or target dates
● Resources to support your journey
Think of it like lesson planning – structured but flexible.
Setting Your Timelines
Some actions can be completed quickly; others will require longer-term planning and investment. Set realistic timelines that allow you to deliver meaningful change without overloading your team.
Resources to Inspire Your Journey
Many schools, colleges, and MATs are sharing their plans online to inspire and support other education organisations. We have included some useful links below. You are not required to publish your plan, but doing so can position your organisation as a leader in sustainability. Your school or college’s website is the perfect place to share your goals and achievements and get your wider community engaged.
Outcomes For the Wider World
As an integral part of the community, schools, colleges, and MATs are in a unique position to influence sustainability. Your actions will be key to:
● Building climate change resilience
● Help meet national emission targets
● Enhance biodiversity across education estates
● Act as a catalyst for wider community change
● Inspire and empower the next generation, ready for a sustainable future
Need Support to Get Started?
Creating your Climate Action Plan might feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone.
Dukefield can support your school, college, or MAT with practical guidance, access to green suppliers, and procurement strategies that align with your sustainability goals.
Get in touch with our team today to explore how we can help you take your first steps toward a greener future.