Schools urged to draw up climate action plans as 2025 deadline looms

2 September 2025

Schools in England are being reminded they have just over a year to produce climate action plans, as part of a Department for Education (DfE) requirement that every education setting puts a strategy in place by the end of 2025.

The national campaign Let’s Go Zero, which brings together more than 7,000 schools aiming to become zero carbon, is offering free support to help staff meet the government target. Its Climate Action Advisors work directly with schools to create tailored plans, secure funding and introduce practical measures.

The DfE’s climate framework asks schools to address four areas: preparing for climate impacts such as heatwaves and flooding; improving biodiversity on school grounds; embedding sustainability into lessons and career guidance; and cutting emissions through energy efficiency and low-carbon choices.

Campaign organisers say progress is already under way. More than 1,200 schools have drawn up a climate action plan with Let’s Go Zero, while more than 5,500 have received one-to-one guidance. According to the group, schools working with its advisors have saved over 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and unlocked £1.6m in funding, with further savings projected as actions are implemented.

Examples include Stathern School in Leicestershire, which integrated sustainability into its three-year development plan after receiving advice on cutting energy waste, and the Finham Park Multi-Academy Trust in Coventry and Warwickshire, where an energy audit led to a 14% reduction in use at one secondary school and a 25% drop in carbon emissions. Another participating school reported that advice on tackling draughts around windows and doors directly reduced heating costs and informed longer-term refurbishment plans.

Let’s Go Zero is coordinated by the climate solutions charity Ashden and aims to help all participating schools, colleges and nurseries reach zero carbon by 2030. Alex Green, head of Let’s Go Zero, said the new academic year was the moment for schools to make climate planning a priority, but stressed that they would not have to work alone:

“This back-to-school season is the moment for every headteacher and sustainability lead to get serious about climate action. The government has set the expectation – every school should have a plan in place by the end of 2025. But no school has to do this alone. Our Climate Action Advisors are already helping thousands of schools turn ambition into action, and we’re ready to help thousands more.”

The government has set out that every school should have a plan in place by December 2025, with Let’s Go Zero positioning itself as a key support network to help education leaders turn policy expectations into action.

Photo: Head Karen Lambert and Climate Action Advisor Jelly Moring, during an energy audit of Stathern Primary School, Leicestershire, a Let’s Go Zero signed up school. Credit: Jon Spaull/Ashden