Government policy on zero carbon schools - Lets Go Zero

Government policies to create zero carbon schools:

healthier, happier, resilient places to work and learn

The UK’s schools are a huge source of carbon emissions, and also shape the future of our communities. This makes them central to the government’s clean power and opportunity missions. But schools need urgent help to decarbonise – and particularly to create modern, energy-efficient buildings.

Let’s Go Zero’s policy calls show how government can lower schools’ emissions and energy bills, prepare them for the growing danger of extreme weather, and create a better environment for young people and staff. Our calls also show how strategic government investment and leadership can unlock billions in private capital for the education estate.

With schools at the heart of communities, visible action will drive wider change too. Our calls will also help build the workforce for a zero carbon future.

Let’s Go Zero has a track record of influencing government policy, and works directly with government on pioneering net zero initiatives and programmes. By fully adopting our policy asks, policymakers will deliver climate, economic and social benefits in every corner of the UK.

Carbon zero schools: challenges and opportunities

Nearly 1/2

of all UK households have school-aged or younger children, putting schools at the heart of our communities.

Nearly 50%

of schools are already at flood risk – the number will rise if global temperatures increase by 2°C as predicted, which could also cause overheating for a third of the academic year.

More than 7,000 schools

have shown their ambition to be zero carbon by joining the Let’s Go Zero campaign – helping them take impactful steps towards this goal.

Schools are the largest public sector contributors to building emissions. Their annual energy costs are

£1.7 billion.

While new school buildings must be net zero, they make up just 2% of the estate. Current funding for building upgrades is far short of the amount needed, according to the Department for Education:

£2 billion.

Our five government policy asks – and how they’ll be achieved

Transform school funding - establish a simple, fair, and comprehensive funding programme for school decarbonisation and resilience. 

Introduce a unified funding framework that integrates decarbonisation and resilience schemes with school condition funding

Clarify VAT rules to ensure all net zero solutions are zero-rated for schools.

Unlock private investment – by giving schools clear guidance on repayable finance, and removing barriers to accessing it.

Remove borrowing restrictions for simple, low risk, high impact improvements like building management controls, LED lighting, and solar panels.

Introduce government-backed loan schemes and institutional investment products.

Give clear guidance on approved funding routes, including community energy schemes linked to the government’s Local Power Plan.

Build school capacity – with practical measures helping schools cut energy costs and take climate action.

Fully fund a sustainability lead in every school.
Support a network of climate action advisors giving schools free, impartial guidance.

Do more to share best practice case studies and decision-making tools.

Embed sustainability in education - make climate solutions a core part of teaching and inspection.

Embed climate change and sustainability across the national curriculum at all key stages, ensuring it is taught as a solutions-focused, evidence-based, and action-oriented subject.

Ensure all educators receive training and resources to confidently teach sustainability and empower pupils.

Include guidance for Ofsted to assess how schools are delivering environmental education and supporting student climate action.

Develop tomorrow’s green workforce – with stronger careers guidance in schools.

Embed sustainability in careers guidance, inspiring students with the potential of green jobs and giving them the information and support they need to reach these roles.

Use school retrofit and community energy projects to showcase green jobs to young people.

Our impact on government policy so far

Since the launch of Let’s Go Zero, we’ve seen numerous policy recommendations adopted by government. All new school buildings delivered by the Department for Education are now net zero in operation. And by the end of 2025, all education settings should have nominated a sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan.