Impact Report launched celebrating Climate Action Schools

Pupils and educators have been inspired to pledge more than 2,500 climate actions over the past year as 1,694 schools from right across Scotland got involved in Climate Action Schools activities.

An Impact Report published today, 18 April, celebrates the success of young people and educators and picks out key achievements from the first year of the Climate Action Schools framework – designed to put climate change firmly on the agenda for educators, young people and children across Scotland.

Key impacts reported include:

• 36,000 participants attending 10 environment themed live lessons delivered over 28 online sessions.
• 876 young people and 48 educators being certified as Carbon Literate.
• 60% increase in schools re-joining the international Eco-Schools programme.
• 5,000 bags of litter removed from communities by almost 3,500 young people.

Climate Action Schools was developed in response to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, which are seen as the greatest threats humanity has ever faced.

Many educators, young people and children have been doing amazing work in their schools and communities to combat climate change. But, they are still calling for better climate change education in schools and beyond. They want to know the facts, the challenges ahead and the links between what they are doing and how it tackles the twin climate and nature crises.

The Climate Action Schools framework builds on existing activity across Scotland and has increased opportunities for learning across five core components: learning for sustainability; climate emergency; biodiversity; litter and pollution; and amplifying pupil voices.  It is supported by the Scottish Government.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan said: "It is great that so many young people across Scotland have been engaged in climate action through this programme. Children and young people have played an important role in keeping climate change at the top of the global agenda. I hope the Climate Action Schools will empower them to play an even bigger part in reaching net zero."

Catherine Gee, our Deputy Chief Executive, said: “This report is a celebration of the achievements made over the past 12 months by the thousands of children, young people and educators in schools across Scotland working tirelessly to progress climate change education and Learning for Sustainability.

“As a country we are working towards becoming a Net Zero nation by 2045 but we know there is still demand for further support to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet.

“We are delighted that so many young people took part in our activities, attended online live lessons and participated in training and look forward to working with everyone involved in Climate Action Schools as we head towards the future – a clean, green and sustainable future.”

Tom Bird, Teacher of Mathematics, Boroughmuir High School, commented, “Climate Action Schools is immensely valuable for our pupils, as it empowers school children at a critical moment when the climate cannot wait. It is vital that we do not wait for them to pick up the pieces. The programme enables grassroots change that gives pupils the autonomy over their future. Power to the kids!”

Read our report here.