Author: Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder Digital Signet. Reviewed against DfE Sustainability Strategy (Mar 2025) and Education Estates Strategy (Feb 2026). Verified 22 June 2026.
Every setting in England is expected to have a Climate Action Plan and a named Sustainability Lead. The plan covers four pillars and aligns with DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.
Every setting in England is expected to have a Climate Action Plan and a named Sustainability Lead. The plan covers four pillars and aligns with DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.
Decarbonisation (energy, transport, food, procurement), Adaptation and Resilience (overheating, flooding, water), Biodiversity (grounds, green infrastructure), and Climate Education (curriculum, CPD, Nature Park).
The Decarbonisation pillar feeds the Mandatory Year-End Energy return (academies) and SECR (large MATs above the trigger). The data points overlap; one collection cycle should feed both.
Governors and trustees sign off the Climate Action Plan as part of the strategic plan and the annual report. The Sustainability Lead reports progress to the governing body at a defined cadence.