Over 300 students and teachers take charge as Government pledges to include climate in the curriculum

This week, 275 students and 42 teachers from across England have taken part in a first-of-its-kind series of events, providing students and educators with the knowledge, tools, and support to build their own Climate Action Plans to be implemented at their schools. The events, hosted at UCL, Durham University and the University of Plymouth, put students in the driver’s seat to design and scale their own Climate Action Plans, moving from compliance to meaningful change.

These workshops come as the Government has pledged to uphold the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s recommendation that climate change and sustainability should be integrated into the curriculum. Students are leading the way, and Government is moving to catch up.

Under the Department for Education’s 2022 Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy, all schools in England were required to have a CAP in place by September 2025. SOS UK’s workshops are supporting schools to install their own CAP by empowering schools to act now – including providing them with a free CAPs guide.

The workshops, led by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS UK) and supported by representatives of the National Education Nature Park, Let’s Go Zero, and the Climate Ambassadors scheme, came as the new academic year begins with the CAP requirement in force. The sessions brought together students, educators, and local leaders to explore how schools can take meaningful climate action. The events inspired participants to develop clear commitments, practical next steps, and a shared sense of community across schools nationwide.

As part of SOS UK’s three-year Green Schools Revolution initiative, funded by #iWill, Climate Action Plans help schools map out tangible ways to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity, and integrate sustainability across teaching and operations. With the DfE’s 2025 CAP deadline having passed, these workshops demonstrate how students and educators can turn the plans into action – creating classrooms where climate literacy is the norm.

With schools and universities representing 36% of the total UK public sector building emissions, Climate Action Plans provide students and teachers with a clear framework to reduce their school’s emissions through a number of initiatives, such as energy efficiency measures and nature-based solutions. By equipping teachers with the tools they need and empowering students to lead, SOS UK is helping to build a more climate-conscious, resilient generation ready to take on the challenges of the future.

Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire, “It’s fantastic to see students across the country taking the lead in implementing climate education in their classrooms. It’s been really helpful that the government set a 2025 deadline for all schools to develop their own Climate Action Plan; and the resources from SOS UK have given students and teachers the tools to bring those plans to life. Watching students unite behind a shared goal for climate-wise education gives me real hope for the future!”

Mary Foy MP for City of Durham:“It was deeply encouraging to witness students from across Durham come together to take ownership of their education and their future. The work of SOS UK in supporting schools to develop Climate Action Plans and promote environmental leadership is truly commendable. I am proud that young people in my constituency are playing such an active role in driving the change they wish to see – showcasing that the environment is a cause close to their hearts. As their Member of Parliament, I’ll be glad to be their voices in Westminster whenever they need me to push these hugely important issues.”

Councillor Awale Olad, Chair of Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee (Camden Council): “At a local level, it’s inspiring to see young people across London so passionate about the environment and eager to see this reflected in their learning. Climate Action Plans are a vital step forward in ensuring that what happens outside the classroom is mirrored inside it.”

Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change (Plymouth Council): “Today’s event was incredibly uplifting – the enthusiasm and energy of students around environmental action is infectious. Climate Action Plans are key to ensuring that classrooms play an active role in shaping a sustainable future.”

Alfie Efran, Department for Education Youth Sustainability Champion: “With Climate Action Plan events taking place across England, it’s great to see students leading on the work I am advocating for within the Department for Education. After recently leaving school, it became apparent to me that I’d learnt relatively very little on climate change and its wider impacts – it’s great to see both schools, advocates, and Government taking this seriously. Today’s Curriculum and Assessment Review response from Government is heartening, particularly the commitment to supporting the recommendation to integrate climate change and sustainability into the curriculum.”

Trudie Gorham, Sustainability Lead, Beaumont School: “At our school, we began to take climate action through SOS UK’s Teach the Teacher – it really empowered our young people who then went on to inspire other students throughout the school. Teach the Teacher lit the fire, and the students have been carrying the torch ever since. As a Sustainability Lead, Teach the Teacher and days like today – where we have created our own youth-led Climate Action Plan – make it easier for me to have conversations with the Senior Leadership Team and show that students are passionate for climate education outside of just science and geography lessons.”

Teyo and Rianshi, West Lodge Primary School: “As a school, we’ve been involved in a number of climate initiatives including the Youth Eco Summit but today has helped us translate our energy into actions. Support with our Climate Action Plan has helped us to understand the different ways to make our schools more environmentally-friendly and the steps on how to do so. We are really passionate about creating a nature and wildlife reserve area in our schools.”

Amy Padfield, Senior Project Manager, SOS UK: “The 2025 deadline for CAPS implementation has focused people’s minds on the important topic of climate education, but the real work starts now. Our workshops have demonstrated that the most powerful resource schools have in setting and implementing CAPS are their students themselves. SOS UK’s CAPs toolkit has been developed to support schools across England to develop their own plans, led by their own students, taking a meaningful step toward creating classrooms where climate literacy is the norm.”