Early Years Environmental Sustainability News: Climate Action Plan and Nominated Sustainability Lead
Bringing together key research, DfE information and links to resources to support the actions you could utilise in-house to achieve a greater level of environmental sustainability.
The Department for Education's (DfE) sustainability leadership and climate action plan initiative was first published in 2023 with an expectation that all educational settings would have a nominated 'sustainability lead' and 'put in place a climate action plan' by the end of this year (2025). Sustainability leadership and climate action plans in education - GOV.UK. The information is aimed at early years settings, schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges and universities. The document highlights the importance of leadership, a whole setting approach and starting from where each setting is in its sustainability journey.
Key Documents
Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems - GOV.UK Applies to education and childcare providers including early years.
Resources
Go Green Week - University Of Worcester
Sustainability matters early years resource | NCFE
Guide: Early Years & The Environment: How To Be Sustainable | Famly
Warrington Borough Council: My Early Years Services - Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability Support for Education Finding the right support for your setting and shape your Climate Action plan. Explore what your setting can do.
Environmental Sustainability in the Early Years | Stronger Practice Hubs What is a climate action plan? Our roles as educators.
LEYF-Sustainability-Strategy.pdf is an EY example shared by the DfE.
Climate Action Plan Check List Essex County Council has published a helpful early years review document to give settings a starting point.
Grants
Climate Action Plan and Sustainability – Bolton Start Well Information about Energy Efficiency Grants.
Resources you may wish to share with families
“Green” parenting tips | UNICEF Armenia