Schools invited to take part in month of climate actions

The Let’s Go Zero Coalition is inviting school students across the country to join the Climate Action Countdown – a month of activities taking place this summer.

From June 7 to July 5, the Climate Action Countdown will see teachers and pupils up and down the country take part in challenges to reduce their carbon emissions.

The month-long event will draw attention to the huge efforts schools are making to reach zero carbon emissions by 2030, and how they are helping communities create a more sustainable future.

The ethos of the initiative is that 'no action is too small', with whole schools, classes, pupils, caretakers, and dinner ladies asked to take up the challenges. Colleges and nurseries are invited to take part too. The countdown’s message is no-one is too tiny to make a big difference.

Teachers, pupils, parents and community and school supporters can all register for the Climate Action Countdown now. They will be emailed a pack of everything needed to get involved, including a calendar of fun and easy-to-do challenges each day, from holding a uniform swap shop to planting a butterfly bush, going meat-free for one Monday or taking part in our Great Big Climate Quiz. The pack also includes musical downloads of the Climate Action Countdown song, sung by SOS from the Kids – the well-known eco choir who were semi-finalists on the X-Factor.

The event encompasses a whole season of national climate events including Great Big Green Week (June 8th - 16th); Show Your Stripes Day (June 21st), Clean Air Day (June 20th); and London Climate Action Week (22nd - 30th June).

Schools will be sharing climate challenge stories and photos on social media during the month with the hashtag #ClimateActionCountdown, for the chance to win exciting daily eco-prizes.

Head of the Let’s Go Zero Coalition, Alex Green, said: “The Climate Action Countdown is a fantastic opportunity for schools to show how they are leading the country in sustainable best practice, through curriculum, campus and culture.

“With school-aged or younger children in 42% of all UK households, our classrooms can inspire progress right across communities. And this is a great time, with a general election on the cards, to show leaders how we need to listen to schools, who really want to be zero carbon. By joining the Climate Action Countdown, schools can help persuade the government to make that happen.”

Lee Hughes, Chief Operating Officer from Peterborough Diocese Education Trust, said: “The Climate Action Countdown is an outstanding opportunity for our school communities to come together and show leadership in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and act positively on the government’s climate change strategy for education.

“As a Multi Academy Trust of 33 Church of England primary schools, we aspire to act now, engaging our staff, children and communities to make sustainable changes. No action is too small, and we want to encourage our schools to embrace the climate challenge and show that positive steps can be taken, even with really old estates! We will be asking our schools to join together this summer and working with our partners, the Let’s Go Zero coalition, to engage with the Climate Action Countdown."
 
Rowan Ryrie, Co-founder and Co-director of Parents for Future, said: "Schools are at the heart of our communities and are a space where all generations can come together. We're looking forward to seeing children, parents, teachers and the wider community having some fun and making an impact and will be supporting parents to be part of the Climate Action Countdown with a week-long courageous climate conversations challenge."

Register for the Climate Countdown here.