School Sustainability and climate change

The Department of Education has published a revised and ambitious strategy for sustainability and climate action across the education sector.

This strategy applies to:

• the Department for Education (DfE), its agencies and public bodies
• the education and children’s services systems in England – including:
  • early years
  • schools (and independent schools where applicable)
  • further education
  • higher education
  • children’s social care

“DfE has an important role to play in all aspects of sustainability. But the area in which we have the most work to do is reducing our environmental footprint, particularly in the drive to achieve net zero… The UK requires the education sector to play its role in positively responding to climate change and inspiring action on an international stage. This strategy sets out ambitious activity to respond to recommendations for education…”

You can see the full report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy/sustainability-and-climate-change-a-strategy-for-the-education-and-childrens-services-systems

With many years experience in urban greening projects including schools, colleges and Government infrastructure we feel that The Urban Greening Company and many of our peers are well placed to help schools and other learning centres achieve these ambitious goals.
  

Greening Education: How Green Roofs and Urban Greening Help Achieve Sustainable Schools

Sustainability is no longer an abstract concept for students in nurseries, schools, colleges, and universities. With the UK Government’s drive to combine climate adaptation and net zero targets within education buildings, green infrastructure in all its varied forms is a primary solution for meeting these ambitious goals.
  

Learning Through Green Spaces

Green roofs and other urban greening solutions provide tangible, interactive opportunities for young people to engage with sustainability measures. Through participation in designing, planting, and maintaining green spaces, students can learn firsthand about climate adaptation and the importance of biodiversity.  These practical experiences not only enrich classroom learning but also foster a generation that values environmental stewardship. Normalising an abundance of nature can never be a bad thing.
  

Creating Net-Zero Learning Environments

Green roofs serve as a natural insulator, reducing energy demand by keeping buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter as shown in numerous reports and studies 1. Similarly, urban greening around schools can help mitigate the urban heat island effect and its associated consequences. By integrating these measures, schools can work towards net-zero designs while cutting energy bills—a critical priority given the significant and rising costs associated with energy consumption in education buildings
  

Encouraging Efficient Water Use

A particularly valuable benefit of green, and now also blue, roofs is their ability to manage rainwater. By absorbing and filtering runoff, these systems reduce the strain on drainage infrastructure and improve water quality. Combined with wider urban greening efforts, this can help educate students and parents about sustainable water use while demonstrating practical solutions for mitigating climate risks, such as flooding.
  

Healthier, More Biodiverse Communities

The benefits of green roofs and urban greening in general extend well beyond simply reducing carbon emissions. These measures create vibrant ecosystems that promote biodiversity, one of the aims stated in the UK Government’s strategy. Additionally, green spaces contribute to the physical and mental well-being of students and staff, creating environments that inspire learning, play, and social interaction. 2
  

Driving Innovation and Jobs

As schools lead by example with green sustainable building projects, they also act as catalysts for innovation in sustainable construction. The demand for evidence-based, safe green solutions drives new technologies, partnerships, and green jobs, further strengthening local communities whilst also raising awareness