Climate Change and Schools Bethan Clemence Climate Change Officer Hertfordshire County Council

Why is Climate Change Important to Schools? Sustainable Schools Framework – Every Child Matters Curriculum –Teaching and learning –Pupil achievement –Pupil well being Campus –Pupil involvement –Staff morale –Built and natural environment –Financial Benefits Community –Trust –Parental involvement –Local influence

Key Issues: Mitigation & Adaptation Mitigation: tackling our contribution to climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Adaptation: how we respond to the impacts of climate change upon us

Climate Change affects the whole school… SCHOOL GovernorStaffCaretakerOther UsersBursarParentStudentHeadteacher

Reducing Emissions – everyone has a role Headteacher / Governors: Planning for school improvement – whole school approach Caretakers: Buildings management Bursars: Understanding utility bills Students: learning, getting involved, ownership, creativity, empowerment and critical thinking Staff: Cross-curricular teaching Everyone: Conserving energy and water SCHOOL GovernorStaffCaretakerOther UsersBursarParentStudentHeadteacher

Coping with the impacts in a school environment Impacts on school buildings Accessibility during extreme weather Health and well being of staff and students Curriculum – dealing with global impacts at the local level

Future Pressures Increasing demands to reduce emissions from school buildings Increasing emphasis on sustainable schools framework Increased chance of disruption and costs to schools from extreme weather events

What is the County Council doing? Carbon Management Strategy – 25% reduction in CO 2 emissions by 2012/13 Developing adaptation framework and research Responding to increasing legislative and statutory pressures Working across departments to ensure schools receive appropriate advice and support

Useful Links Hertfordshire County Council’s Climate Change Webpages Teachernet – Sustainable Schools

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