Three years after the publication of the Department for Education’s policy paper, ‘Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems’, many schools are still unsure where to get started.

Senior engineer Harry Eaves, suggests looking at your school site’s energy usage and carbon reduction as start, and leaning into a net zero specialist, like Zenergi, to help you form your short and longer term strategy.

Step one: Benchmark your progress with the Greener Schools Index

The best place to begin your sustainability journey is with the Greener Schools Index. This free self-assessment survey helps you measure your school’s sustainability progress, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas for improvement across key sustainability themes, including:

• Energy and carbon reduction
• Air quality and biodiversity
• Water management and efficiency
• Procurement and catering management
• ICT and digital sustainability

Each completed survey generates an individual PDF report summarising your responses. This report can support your Climate Action Plan, inform discussions with Governors and Trustees, and guide your next steps.

Step two: Take control of your school’s energy use

Understanding your energy consumption is crucial to cutting waste, reducing costs, and working towards net zero. Here’s how our solutions can help you:

✔ Energy audits and half-hourly metering – Identify inefficiencies and track energy use in real time through our smart metering solutions and energy management portals
✔ Water monitoring and surveys – Detect hidden leaks and prevent unnecessary waste, helping you cut costs and improve efficiency
✔ Heat Decarbonisation Planning (HDPs) – Develop a strategic roadmap for transitioning to low-carbon heating solutions
✔ Energy-efficient upgrades – Implement cost-saving measures, such as LED lighting, HVAC optimisation and renewable energy solutions
✔ Access government funding – Secure financial support through the Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).

Step three: Support for Sustainability Leads

The DfE now requires all educational settings to appoint a Sustainability Lead and develop a Climate Action Plan. If you’re new to the role or looking for guidance, our Energy and Carbon Management Essentials Workshop provides the knowledge and tools you need to succeed. Add your name to the waiting list here and be the first to know about new course dates. 

Ready to take action?

We help over 3,000 schools reduce costs and accelerate their net zero journeys already. And we’d love to support you too. 

Book a free consultation with one of our experts today to discuss:

✔ Your school’s sustainability challenges  

✔ Energy efficiency strategies tailored to your site  

✔ Developing a Heat Decarbonisation Plan  

✔ Securing government funding opportunities  

✔ Sustainability training and Climate Action Plan development 

For more information on how we can help your school take the next step, let’s talk.