Climate change in education

All schools need to have a nominated sustainability lead and climate action plan in place by the end of 2025. As a Council, we’re providing a range of support to our school and education settings to help them create their plan and achieve their goals. 

Derby Promise – Festival of Ideas 

Derby Promise is a bold initiative led by Derby City Council to bring together key organisations across the city to work in partnership to: 

• expand opportunities 
• raise aspirations
• prepare young people for the evolving world of work
• provide meaningful opportunities for students from primary school right through to further adult education. 

The Festival of Ideas was the latest in a series of events for young people held as part of the Derby Promise. The event on 12 November 2024, coincided with COP29 and brought together pupils from Derby’s primary and secondary schools to explore activities centred on climate action, green careers and opportunities within STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths).

The Derby Promise has a calendar of events planned across key skill sectors in Derby, including automotive, rail, AI and construction, and more. It aims to create strengthened pathways between children and young people, the school curriculum and industry, thus creating opportunity, raising aspirations and providing a gateway to the careers of the future.

The next Festival of Ideas event is due to be held in March 2025 as part of Science Week. 

Support for education settings 

There is a range of support available to education settings from both national and local organisations.

Climate Ambassadors 

The Climate Ambassador scheme matches volunteer climate experts with education settings to develop climate action plans in nurseries, schools and colleges. You can request a Climate Ambassador to visit your setting via the STEM website.

Let’s Go Zero 

Let’s Go Zero is a national campaign that unites teachers, pupils, parents and their schools as they all work together to be zero carbon by 2030. They offer free support through a network of Climate Action Advisors as well as their Innovative Finance Project and Zero Carbon Fund. 

National Education Nature Park 

The Outdoor Learning and Play Charity offer a range of in-person and online training courses to enable children to connect with nature, be more active, and be more engaged with their learning.

Derby City Council Recycling 

The Council’s Recycling team offer a range of in-person workshops tailored to schools including recycling, composting, food waste and more. 

Environment Agency

The environment agency offers a range of workshops covering biodiversity in rivers, flooding, fishing and other environmental topics that can be adapted for different age groups. They can also support with career fairs and mock interviews.
These sessions are delivered by volunteers so require as much notice as possible. To book a workshop contact Emma Parkin or Becca Griffin Pearce.

Additional providers and their offers will be added in the near future. To find out more or for any questions, please email derbypromise@derby.gov.uk.

Climate Education 

Climate Education has been developed in consultation with educators to ensure a whole-school approach to meeting the Department for Education's sustainability requirements. It offers a single dashboard with tools for creating, tracking, and refining Climate Action Plans aligned with decarbonisation, biodiversity, resilience, and climate education.

With just one click you’ll have access to lesson plans, tailored resources, and regular funding and news updates to support all your climate actions, empowering schools to contribute meaningfully to sustainability efforts while saving time through this one-stop green hub. To find out more, visit the Climate Education website or email hello@climateeducation.org.uk.