Ashden leads the Let’s Go Zero campaign calling on the government for support and funding to get all UK schools to zero carbon by 2030.
Every school, collage or nursery that joins will be pledging to work towards a more sustainable future while also urging the government to support this vital mission. As well as lobbying politicians, the campaign will give school leaders the tools and resources to become more sustainable.
Having previously run LESS CO2, Ashden has many years experience supporting schools to reduce their energy usage, save money on bills and lower their carbon emissions. LESS CO2 is now delivered on a paid for basis by a small team of LESSCO2 mentors.
Global Action Plan is a charity that’s working for a green and thriving planet where people enjoy their lives within the Earth’s resources. Transform Our World is their online, centralised, quality-rated resource hub to help teachers to bring environmental action into the classroom. It’s full of free, practical resources for teachers to bring environmental action into the classroom. It provides opportunities for students to lead impactful projects that tackle the root causes of the climate breakdown and biodiversity loss. The range of curriculum-linked, low prep resources is teacher-reviewed and tested, to ensure it is as easy as possible for teachers to channel the excitement around climate action into schools-based activities.
For over 30 years, WWF has been working with teachers and schools to provide a wide range of topical classroom resources and real-world activities to engage and inspire young people. Over 10,000 UK schools participate in their education programmes and they have a wide range of climate change resources, species and food growing activities to inspire pupils. Their work with schools is part of their mission to build a brighter future for both people and nature.
Learning through Fairtrade opens up a fascinating world, revealing how we are all connected. Use their curriculum resources to discover where our food comes from. A school or nursery can become a Fairtrade School. Becoming a Fairtrade School means joining a worldwide movement. It offers a great opportunity to look at global issues such as where our food comes from and how we are connected to people around the world. Students can also learn a range of skills, from teamwork and co-operation to persuasive writing to running a stall or tuck shop.
Food for Life brings schools, nurseries, hospitals and care homes, and their surrounding communities together around the core ethos of healthy, tasty and sustainable food. Their School Award supports schools to take a whole school approach that sees them grow their own food; organise trips to farms; provide cooking and growing clubs for pupils and their families; serve freshly prepared, well-sourced meals and provide an attractive dining environment.
The Eco-Schools programme consists of three structural elements – The Seven Step Framework, the Eco-Schools Topics and assessment for the international Green Flag award. To be successful the programme requires support from school leaders and active involvement from staff, as well as a long-term commitment and the willingness to involve students in decision-making.
Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. School Streets tackles the congestion, poor air quality and road safety concerns that many schools experience, by restricting motor traffic at the school gates for a short period of time, generally at drop-off and pick-up times. Sustrans School Streets is our programme to support schools and local authorities to trial and implement school streets across the UK.
Carbon Trust provide solutions to the climate crisis. They support organisations globally to accelerate towards Net Zero. From target setting, Net Zero pathways, assurance and footprinting, to policy advice, strategy setting and programme delivery, they seek smarter ways to turn intent into impact, where sustainability and economic realities go hand in hand.
The Tree Council brings everyone together with a shared mission to care for trees and our planet’s future. They inspire and empower organisations, government, communities and individuals with the knowledge and tools to create positive, lasting change at a national and local level.
They offer an extensive programme for schools as well an exciting #ForceforNature campaign, encouraging children to stand up for trees and the natural world. Through their Orchards for Schools programme, The Tree Council provide free bespoke training, resources and tree and hedgerow packs to enable children and teachers to grow their connections, knowledge, skills and passion for trees and nature while improving the treescape and biodiversity on their grounds. The Young Tree Champion Ambassador programme helps children and teachers to build their confidence and creative abilities so that they can speak up and share their passion for being a Force for Nature in their local community and beyond. To find out more, visit The Tree Council Schools Webpage.
WRAP is a climate action NGO working in 40 countries to give the planet a sustainable future. Engaging citizens, governments and businesses, our mission is to end waste in food, textiles and plastics and promote the circular economy. We run campaigns such as Recycle Now and Love Food Hate Waste to help make recycling the norm and keep food out of the bin, with The Action Pack programme for schools.
WRAP also runs the Guardians of Grub campaign which aims to reduce the 1.1 million tonnes of food thrown away by the Hospitality and Food Service industry every year.
Since August 2021, Ashden and IKEA have worked together to drive the Let’s Go Zero campaign forward; and we are delighted to have the opportunity to continue that partnership as the campaign grows and develops.
This year we hope to continue to grow the movement for change, standing alongside children and young people, enabling schools to play a vital role in educating future generations to make sustainable, healthy choices in their lifestyles.
OVO Foundation has joined the Let’s Go Zero campaign to improve access to nature and biodiversity for children and young people across the UK, while supporting schools on their zero-carbon journey.
In 2022, OVO Foundation launched its Climate Changers programme. Ashden – leader of the Let’s Go Zero campaign – was one of three charities to become new partners of OVO Foundation. Through this partnership 75 schools will be awarded the OVO Foundation Nature Prize, a cash prize to kick start their own nature projects. By inspiring climate action in these schools, the project will bring over 37,000 children closer to nature.