Environmental Stewardship and Net Zero
In 2020, recognising that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation and a fundamental injustice, General Synod passed a motion that the whole of the Church of England should work towards being net zero carbon by 2030. In 2022 a National Routemap to Net Zero Carbon by 2030 was approved which outlines key milestones for parishes, cathedrals, diocesan and school estates to enable decarbonisation. In addition the Department for Education has developed a sustainability and climate change strategy for education which states: “By 2025, all education settings will have nominated a sustainability lead and put in place a climate action plan”. (This is now included in the DfE Estate Management Standards)
The Rochester Diocesan Board of Education is very keen to support schools with these challenging tasks by helping schools to reduce their carbon footprint and to take a more holistic approach to care for God’s Creation. We suggest the following organisations and resources to support your school in your sustainability journey.
Developing a Climate Action Plan
Let’s Go Zero
To get started with developing a climate action plan we recommend that head teachers attend a DBE session with Let's Go Zero or contact them directly for support. Let’s Go Zero can provide practical support by walking you through how to measure your school’s carbon footprint using the Count Your Carbon toolkit as well as how to use the data you get to guide you through the development of a climate action plan.
Rochester DBE work in close partnership with Let’s Go Zero so please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to be introduced directly to the regional Climate Action Adviser.
Climate Ambassadors
Climate Ambassadors are volunteer climate experts who are matched with education settings to support the development of climate action plans. Their support can complement that of Let’s Go Zero.
Eco Schools
Becoming an Eco School may be an action within your Climate Action Plan! The Eco-Schools framework is a well-established scheme which supports schools to increase environmental education and deliver projects that increase sustainability, develop green skills and model green careers. They have a comprehensive set of free resources which can be used for free without signing up for the accreditation itself.
Further support
Church of England’s digital and practical guide to help your school lower its carbon emission: A Practical Path towards Net Zero Carbon The Church of England Education Office has guidance on all of the above and more, including case studies. The Department for Education is developing a Sustainability Support Hub to help education settings find trusted resources to support their sustainability progress. Christian Aid have many resources to help you embed climate care into your teaching and worship resources including lesson plans, assemblies and games.
The Rochester Diocese Net Zero Programme Manager, Cat Jamieson works closely with the National Church of England Net Zero Programme for Schools and the Diocesan Board of Education and is available to help with net zero related enquiries. Please email: Catriona.jamieson@rochester.anglican.org
A note on funding
We know that funding for big projects continues to be a big challenge for schools and this is something that we hope will change with new government public sector decarbonisation initiatives in the future.
It is worth noting that changing behaviours and the way you use your energy can sometimes mean that small changes not only reduce carbon emissions but can save your school money too. The Church of England will be piloting some programmes with Energy Sparks to see what savings can be made through their energy management tool. Watch this space!
We are looking forward to the launch of the Schools Decarbonisation Fund later in 2026 which will provide grant funding to some schools Voluntary Aided Schools to support the 10% Governor Liability on capital projects delivering net zero carbon interventions.
