Climate Change Vision
Climate Change and Sustainability Statement
The Character Education Trust recognises that climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing current and future generations. As an educational trust, we have a responsibility to reduce our environmental impact, prepare our schools for the effects of a changing climate and equip young people with the knowledge, character and confidence needed to contribute positively to a more sustainable future.
Our approach supports the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and forms part of our wider commitment to responsible stewardship, good governance and service to our communities.
Our commitments
Across the Character Education Trust and its schools, we will:
Education, skills and careers
- Provide pupils with accurate, age-appropriate and evidence-informed teaching about climate change, sustainability and the natural world through the curriculum.
- Support pupils to develop the knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills required to understand environmental challenges and possible solutions.
- Promote awareness of green skills, technologies and careers.
- Create opportunities for pupils to participate in environmental projects and contribute meaningfully to the development of their schools and communities.
- Ensure that climate education is constructive, balanced and focused on knowledge, agency and hope.
Decarbonisation and responsible use of resources
- Seek to understand and progressively reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions associated with our buildings and activities.
- Improve energy and water efficiency wherever this is practical and financially responsible.
- Consider sustainability when planning capital works, maintaining our estate and purchasing goods and services.
- Reduce waste, encourage reuse and recycling, and limit unnecessary consumption.
- Promote lower-carbon travel choices where these are safe, accessible and appropriate.
- Use digital systems responsibly while recognising their environmental impact.
Adaptation and resilience
- Assess the risks that climate change and extreme weather may present to our pupils, staff, buildings and operations.
- Consider issues including excessive heat, flooding, water scarcity, storms and disruption to transport or essential services.
- Incorporate proportionate climate-resilience measures into estate management, emergency planning, business continuity and future development.
- Maintain safe, healthy and suitable learning environments during periods of extreme weather.
Biodiversity and the natural environment
- Protect and, where possible, improve biodiversity across our school sites.
- Manage grounds in ways that support wildlife, habitats and pupils’ access to nature.
- Look for opportunities to increase planting, improve green spaces and use our estates as educational resources.
- Encourage pupils and staff to respect and care for the local and wider environment.
Leadership and accountability
The Trust will maintain identified sustainability leadership with appropriate senior oversight. Sustainability will be considered through relevant areas of trust and school planning, including curriculum development, estates management, procurement, finance, risk management and community engagement.
Our climate action planning will identify priorities that are appropriate to the circumstances of each school. Actions will be evidence-informed, achievable and proportionate to the resources available. Where possible, objectives will be supported by measurable outcomes so that progress can be evaluated.
Trustees and school leaders will receive appropriate information about significant environmental priorities, risks and progress. Our climate commitments and action planning will be reviewed regularly and updated in response to changes in government guidance, the needs of our schools and the evidence available.
Working together
Meaningful climate action depends upon the participation of the whole school community. We will encourage pupils, staff, trustees, governors, families, suppliers and community partners to contribute ideas and support practical action.
Our response will reflect the values of the Character Education Trust: acting responsibly, making thoughtful and informed decisions, showing respect for others and recognising our duty to protect opportunities for those who will come after us.
