Starting conversations about sustainability
Schools have a crucial role in helping to create a sustainable future for our planet and governing boards need to ensure that this happens.
Our information sheet has been developed to help governors and trustees start meaningful conversations that ultimately result in a tangible climate action plan. The sheet includes key initiatives featured in the Department for Education's Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems.
Download Environmental sustainability: how governing boards can lead positive change (PDF)
Adopting environmental sustainability as a strategic priority
Our comprehensive environmental sustainability guide encourages governing boards to adopt environmental sustainability as a strategic priority for their school or trust.
Download environmental sustainability guide (PDF)
Included in this guidance:
- setting strategic goals linked to environmental sustainability
- the Four Cs of a whole school approach - curriculum, campus, culture and community
- leading change and engaging stakeholders in the whole school approach
- systematically monitoring progress
- questions to ask when reviewing the approach
This guide was produced in collaboration with the National Association for Environmental Education (NAEE), which supports professional educators to help them improve the quality of their teaching and their pupils’ learning in relation to environmental and sustainability issues.
NAEE has produced a resource to help schools, trusts and their governing boards evaluate and develop their approaches to environmental sustainability which accompanies the NGA guide.
Greener Governance
NGA's Greener Governance campaign aims to ensure that all schools and trusts have a strategy for their contribution to environmental sustainability and to equip governing boards to play their role in overseeing this work.
Visit our Greener Governance campaign page for the latest news and information.