Making Learning for Sustainability a priority

More than 45 people from Education Scotland, Scottish Government and local authorities gathered in Stirling yesterday for our event exploring the opportunities and challenges of meeting Target 2030 and supporting Learning for Sustainability in schools. 

Alongside those from the education sector, representatives from services such as climate change and sustainability, waste, energy, transport and biodiversity were also present, coming together to share ideas and information with one goal in mind: highlighting the importance of a local authority cross-service corporate approach to meet the Scottish Government’s Target 2030 ambitions of supporting schools to become Sustainable Learning Settings by 2030. 

The entire event focussed on the wants and needs of our young people. A selection of workshops and activities took place throughout the day, encouraging attendees to take on challenges from the eyes of the young people who are actively asking for more bold ambition and the tools and facilities to make positive change happen. 

Tables, made up of a mixture of local authorities and government bodies, as well as representatives from our education team, imagined what young people would like to have in their school to promote sustainability and environmental excellent, the problems our schools currently face in regards to Learning for Sustainability outcomes and the common challenges faced by educational settings from the perspective of the different services involved and what could ideally be done to make the setting more sustainable. 

The floor was then opened up for each table to present their discussion points and mind maps to the rest of the room. 

Guest speakers included East Ayrshire Council, who spoke about the Clean Green Award and their efforts to increase recycling, and Perth and Kinross Council who discussed a cluster approach to recycling and waste challenges. 

Throughout the day the delegates were invited to submit questions using Mentimeter – an audience participation tool - which were then discussed during an afternoon Q&A session with both the Scottish Government and Education Scotland. 

Andrea Gabriel, our Education and Learning Manager, said: “Target 2030 is at the heart of everything we do in our Climate Action Schools activities so to have so many representatives from local authorities across the country, not only from an education perspective but also our vital public services, was really inspiring – and vital if everyone is to pull together to achieve real change. 

“From the first minute to the last there was a brilliant buzz in the room and the determination of everyone in attendance was clear from the varied and passionate discussion at every table. Our workshops, activities and Q&A session hopefully provided everyone with as much insight and information as it did for us. 

“I’d like to say a special thanks to our guest speakers and the representatives from both Scottish Government and Education Scotland who ensured a great variety of talking points for our attendees, and also to everyone who came with such clear passion for change with Scotland’s young people at heart. There is no doubting the desire for our ambition, it is now time to make our dreams a reality and ensure the youth of today are the drivers of change for tomorrow.” 

While we remain determined to ensure we do everything we can to support pupils’ desire for positive change alongside meeting the government’s Target 2030 aims, we are calling for the next Scottish Parliament to take action too as part of our policy priorities. We want the next Scottish Parliament to: continue to show leadership and ensure that climate education in schools is embedded as a priority so that our educators, children and young people feel equipped to mitigate and adapt to climate change, actively support the implementation of the Climate Action Schools and International Eco-Schools programme in all Scottish schools to deliver on the UN Greening Education Partnership commitments and Target 2030 with a 50% increase in investment, and ensure climate and nature training is accessible for all, including out with formal education settings. 

Climate Action Schools initiatives and programmes, including Eco-Schools, are funded by the Scottish Government and are a positive driver and demonstrator for schools towards achieving  Target 2030. 

Learn more about our education initiatives such as Young Reporters for the Environment, Pocket Garden and our Live Lessons here.