SCHOOLS across Solihull are rolling out new climate action plans which could help them save carbon, money and contribute towards a more sustainable borough.
The Climate Action Plan will outline how each school or college aims to work towards tackling the climate emergency.
Solihull Council is hosting free online webinars with national campaign group Let’s Go Zero and the Climate Ambassadors scheme to help shape their plans.
This builds on the existing strong climate action between Solihull Council and the borough’s schools, which sees students take part in initiatives including the annual Greener Solihull School Awards and the Solihull Schools Climate Conference.
Let’s Go Zero’s Climate Action Advisors have so far worked with 30 schools in Solihull on how they can reduce their carbon emissions and helped seven schools to develop their Climate Action Plans, including Oak Cottage Primary School on Greswolde Road.
Oak Cottage Primary School’s plan will see hands-on learning experiences for children such as composting from the school kitchens, growing plants and vegetables in the school polytunnel, and engaging with families and the wider community through litter picking activities alongside having renewable energy tariffs, and sustainable transport schemes for staff.
Jane Newman, sustainability lead at Oak Cottage Primary School, winners at the Greener Solihull School Awards, said: “We are incredibly proud to take this step forward as a school in creating a greener and more sustainable future.
“With these initiatives, we are not only teaching about sustainability but showing how every individual can make a difference in the fight against climate change.
“We are committed to ensuring that our students are not only aware of the environmental challenges we face, but are also equipped with the knowledge and tools to contribute meaningfully to the solution.”
Solihull Council’s cabinet member for Climate Change and Planning, Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, said: “It’s great to see schools such as Oak Cottage Primary School making further fantastic progress by developing and implementing their climate action plans, which offer an exciting opportunity for the school, children, and staff.
“For many, this could be how they make their premises more energy efficient – cutting their carbon emissions and saving money – or it could be how they improve biodiversity in school grounds and embed projects into the curriculum.”
All education settings across the country have been set a target to have a sustainability lead and a Climate Action Plan in place by 2025.
Solihull Council’s Climate Action Plan webinar with Let’s Go Zero takes place between 3.45pm to 4.30pm on February 25, while a Climate Ambassadors webinar takes place at the same time on March 4.
A free Climate and Nature Action event with information on building a Climate Action Plan takes place at the University of Birmingham between 10am to3.30pm on April 8.
The events are open to staff from education settings only.
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