Unlock your school’s sustainability potential with the Greener Schools Index

Schools have unique opportunities to achieve their energy efficiency, carbon reduction and cost-saving goals. With the Department for Education now requiring all schools to appoint a Sustainability Lead and implement a Climate Action Plan, the need for action has never been more urgent. But for many schools, the question remains: where to begin?

Benchmark to improve with the Greener Schools Index

The Greener Schools Index (GSI) offers a simple yet powerful starting point. Developed by Zenergi in partnership with the UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) Ops Group, this free tool is designed to help schools and colleges move closer to their sustainability goals and achieve net zero. It provides a structured framework that allows schools to assess their environmental impact, benchmark progress against peers and establish clear, actionable objectives.

Through a comprehensive survey, schools can measure progress across 16 key sustainability areas, receiving a bespoke report that highlights achievements, pinpoints areas for improvement, and suggests practical next steps. This valuable report not only supports the development of a Climate Action Plan but also serves as a useful resource for sharing insights with your Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and governors, helping to secure essential buy-in for sustainability initiatives.

A simple process with big impact

Getting started with the GSI is straightforward and highly rewarding. By following a few easy steps, your school can gain a clearer picture of its sustainability journey and uncover new opportunities for improvement. Here’s how it works

Step 1: Gather the data and submit your survey

Set aside 30-40 minutes to access the online sustainability survey and input the relevant information.

Step 2: Receive your bespoke report

You’ll be sent a custom PDF report summarising your school or Trust’s current achievements and next steps.

Step 3: Benchmark, share and act

Use the insights to refine your school’s sustainability strategy, share progress with stakeholders, and collaborate with other schools to drive meaningful change.

Get started with the Greener Schools Index

Key insights from the first report

Many schools have already embraced the opportunity to benchmark their sustainability efforts, allowing the release of the first GSI report. It provides a snapshot of progress across the sector and reveals both encouraging achievements and areas for improvement.

Among the findings, 62% of schools reported having a designated sustainability team – an encouraging indicator of growing commitment. However, only 24% had developed a Climate Action Plan. The GSI offers an ideal foundation to help get this started.

The report also highlighted positive steps in key areas. For instance, 74% of schools are tracking their energy use, and 47% are monitoring water consumption. Nevertheless, there’s clear room for growth: only 33% of schools had set an energy reduction target, and a mere 7% had established a target for water reduction.

Recycling is a fundamental component of any sustainability strategy and yet just 56% of schools had implemented a recycling programme. Addressing this gap could be one of the easiest changes schools can make – whether through installing additional recycling bins or raising awareness among staff and students.

Turning data into action

The report is packed with actionable advice and tips from practitioners who have successfully developed and integrated their Climate Action Plans. Simple, actionable steps already making an impact include:

• Switching to LED lighting and optimising heating schedules
• Installing water-saving devices and running student-led audits
• Establishing eco-committees to engage students and staff
• Integrating sustainability into the curriculum
   

Read the report

Take the next step with tailored training

Of the respondents, 74% acknowledge a need for training and a CPD pathway. Zenergi’s Energy and Carbon Management training has been developed to meet that need. Aligned with the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) Sustainability Standards, the workshop provides participants with expert knowledge, practical tools, and the confidence to lead their school’s energy and carbon management initiatives. It is the perfect complement to the GSI, helping schools turn data into concrete action plans and measurable outcomes.

Find out more about training here

Zenergi: Start (or continue) your journey today

Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to accelerate existing efforts, the GSI and our tailored training workshops can provide the support and guidance you need.

At Zenergi, we specialise in helping schools reduce energy and water consumption, lower carbon emissions, and achieve long-term sustainability goals – all while delivering cost savings. With over 20 years of experience, we provide end-to-end solutions, from energy procurement and carbon reduction strategies to regulatory compliance and low-carbon building design. Today, we proudly support over 3,000 schools across the UK, helping them make impactful, practical changes that benefit both the planet and their budgets.

To find out how we can help your school take its next step, get in touch today.