Why schools?
Led by a powerful coalition of sustainability organisations, Let’s Go Zero is uniting and supporting UK schools working to become zero carbon by 2030.
- Schools are trailblazers for community change
With school-aged children in 42% of all UK households, our classrooms can inspire progress right across communities. Change in schools is already helping whole families (as well as school staff) see the many benefits of thinking and acting more sustainably. Low-carbon schools plant bright ideas in our homes, streets and workplaces.
From schemes busting air pollution outside the school gates to delicious plant-based menus, there are loads of ways for schools to show how straightforward and rewarding climate action can be. Let’s Go Zero helps amplify these achievements, inspiring others and sparking a whole society response to the climate crisis.
- Schools can contribute to significant national emission reductions
Schools will play a critical role in helping the UK cut carbon emission levels. In fact, they have the power to prevent 625,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Across a single school or academy chain, interventions such as lowering electricity use or boosting the energy-efficiency of buildings have a huge impact.
Discover how schools are cutting their emissions:
Transport
Transport
- Implementing active travel schemes to encourage walking and cycling to school
- Students and staff using liftshare apps
- Moving to electric school buses
Waste
Waste
- Collecting food waste and recycling separately
- Setting up second hand school uniform sales
- Putting a 'zero to landfill' waste contract in place
Food
Food
- Signing up to #NoBeef Movement (no beef or lamb served)
- Suppling Fairtrade food
- Growing and using food on-site
Water
Water
- Adding timers to taps to reduce wastage
- Harvesting rainwater using water butts
- Installing a smart meter to capture daily information, engage students and provide tracking data
Nature
Nature
- Setting up a garden club
- Organising tree planting initiatives
- Planting of pollinator-friendly herbaceous beds
- Stopping the use of peat and pesticides
Energy
Energy
- Organising student-led energy audits
- Holding 'low electricity' or 'no electricity' days
- Installing biomass boiler or ground source heat pumps and solar panels
Curriculum
Curriculum
- Teaching how our students are ‘stewards for the environment' in RE
- Translating school's eco code into different languages in MFL classes
Procurement
Procurement
- Using only FSC paper
- Using catering suppliers that provide straw free drink cartons
- Supplying food in low or no plastic packaging
- Writing sustainable procurement into the school sustainability policy
- Schools enable and empower all young people to respond to the climate crisis
Young people are already calling for climate action. They know it will bring them cleaner, fairer communities now, as well as a safer future.
By putting climate action at the heart of everyday school life, Let’s Go Zero creates powerful learning opportunities. These equip young people for the green jobs and opportunities of the future.
But taking action also empowers young people to respond to an issue they care about – one that deeply affects them and the people they love.
It’s crucial that the UK’s low-carbon transformation leaves no-one behind. Focusing on schools prepares every single young person for the change ahead, leaving them ready to enjoy the benefits and opportunities a zero carbon future will bring.
"The importance of a campaign like Let’s Go Zero should not be underestimated. To start with, it's playing a fundamental role in bringing schools and the education system on board in fighting the climate crisis. But it's also enabling schools to lead by example in inspiring the young people it educates about how to act on climate change and keeping the earth’s health at the heart of every decision we make."
Are you a student or a parent?
Want to help your school take action and become part of Let’s Go Zero?
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