Sustainability and climate change: summary of the DfE's strategy

The government's sustainability strategy aims to improve the education sector’s response to climate change by 2030. Find out what it's planning to introduce and when, and how your school will be affected.

Updated
on 26 June 2026
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Contents
  1. What is it?
  2. Climate education
  3. Green skills and careers
  4. Educational estates and digital infrastructure 
  5. Operations and supply chains

What is it?

It’s the DfE’s strategy to improve sustainability and its response to climate change by 2030. 

It sets out 4 main aims (under 'Vision and aims'):

  • Excellence in education and skills for a changing world: preparing pupils for a world impacted by climate change through learning and practical experience
  • Net zero: reducing emissions from education buildings and providing opportunities for pupils to engage in the transition to net zero 
  • Resilience to climate change: adapting school buildings and systems to prepare for the effects of climate change 
  • A better environment for future generations: enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality and increasing access to (and connection with) nature in and around schools 

It also sets out how the DfE plans to achieve these aims through 4 'action areas' that apply to schools:

This article summarises the points that relate to your school. You can read the strategy in