Author: Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder Digital Signet. Reviewed against DfE Sustainability Strategy (Mar 2025) and Education Estates Strategy (Feb 2026). Verified 22 June 2026.
The DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (Mar 2025 update) commits to a Climate Action Plan in every setting and a Sustainability Lead by 2026. The strategy aligns with the Education Estates Strategy (Feb 2026) on the capital decarbonisation programme.
The DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (Mar 2025 update) commits to a Climate Action Plan in every setting and a Sustainability Lead by 2026. The strategy aligns with the Education Estates Strategy (Feb 2026) on the capital decarbonisation programme.
All settings are expected to have a Climate Action Plan and a Sustainability Lead by the September 2026 academic year, per DfE guidance. The plan must cover the four pillars (Decarbonisation, Adaptation, Biodiversity, Climate Education).
PSDS Phase 4, Salix CIF, Greener Schools Fund (London only), LCSF, Solar for Schools PPA. The funding hub catalogues each.
Capital appraisal for school decarbonisation must follow Green Book principles: option appraisal, Social CBA, sensitivity testing. PSDS Phase 4 scoring already incorporates these requirements.