Enhancing sustainability in education: Three new tools for schools and trusts

Written by Robert Gould

Partner, Barker

As the urgency to address climate change grows, schools and trusts play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. Fortunately, the landscape of sustainability advice for educational institutions is evolving rapidly, with innovative resources and developments emerging to guide them on their journey towards carbon neutrality and environmental stewardship. Here are three recent and noteworthy advancements:

Count Your Carbon Tool by Eco-Schools: 

Eco-Schools has unveiled a powerful new resource in the fight against carbon emissions with the launch of the Count Your Carbon tool. This free carbon footprint calculator is tailor-made for schools and trusts, offering a user-friendly interface to measure and track their environmental impact. By inputting data on energy usage, transportation, waste management, and more, institutions can gain valuable insights into their carbon footprint and identify areas for improvement. With sustainability at the forefront of educational agendas, this tool equips schools and trusts with the necessary data to understand their current position, make informed decisions and drive meaningful change. 

Climate Action Advisors by Let's Go Zero: 

Let's Go Zero has introduced a cohort of Climate Action Advisors, heralding a new era of 1-2-1 support for educational institutions across England. These independent experts provide invaluable guidance and assistance, helping schools, colleges, and trusts navigate the complexities of sustainability initiatives. From implementing energy-efficient practices to promoting eco-friendly policies, Climate Action Advisors offer tailored solutions to suit institutions of all sizes and stages of their sustainability journey. Best of all, their services come at no cost, aligning with Let's Go Zero's commitment to fostering a greener future for generations to come. 

Sustainability self-assessment checklist and climate action plan template from Barker: 

CST platinum partner Barker has developed a comprehensive toolkit designed to empower educational trusts on their sustainability journey. The sustainability self-assessment checklist serves as a roadmap for organisations to evaluate their current sustainability practices and capabilities and identify areas of improvement. Complementing this assessment is the climate action plan template, a strategic tool aligned with the Department for Education's sustainability and climate change strategy. By leveraging these resources, trusts can create a roadmap towards net zero emissions and demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship. 

Learn more in our free webinar 

As educational leaders embrace these innovative tools, they pave the way for a more sustainable future, one school at a time. However, the journey towards carbon neutrality requires collective action and ongoing collaboration. 

To delve deeper into these resources and explore strategies for sustainability success, we invite you to join our upcoming webinar on Thursday 18 April from 10:00-11:00. This session will provide insights, practical tips, and opportunities to access these tools and resources to empower schools and trusts in their sustainability efforts. 

CST Masterclass in sustainability 

For those seeking a more in-depth exploration of sustainability practices in education, mark your calendars for the CST Masterclass in sustainability, starting on Tuesday 11 June. This immersive learning experience incorporating content from industry experts as well as practical examples, case studies and interactive discussion promises to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to drive meaningful change within their institutions. 
 
 
The CST Blog welcomes perspectives from a diverse range of guest contributors. The opinions expressed in blogs are the views of the author(s), and should not be read as CST guidance or CST’s position.
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