The school’s eco-committee outside their polytunnel, with Let’s Go Zero’s Kumari Kher (left) and school sustainability lead Jane Newman (right
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, in a way that is unique and manageable for them.
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 looks at areas such as procurement, renewable energy tariffs, and sustainable transport schemes for staff, as well as 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.
Jane Newman, sustainability lead at Oak Cottage Primary School, who were recent award winners at the Greener Solihull School Awards in November, said:
Solihull Council’s Climate Action Plan webinar with Let’s Go Zero takes place between 3.45pm – 4.30pm on Tuesday 25 February, while a Climate Ambassadors webinar takes place at the same time on Tuesday 4 March.
A free Climate and Nature Action event with information on building a Climate Action Plan takes place at the University of Birmingham between 10am-3.30pm on Tuesday 8 April.
The events are open to staff from education settings only. Full details of all the events, how to join, and further climate action support for schools is available at www.solihull.gov.uk/your-future-solihull.