Is your school or Trust meeting its sustainability targets? With the Greener Schools Index you can find out! By completing this comprehensive survey, you’ll receive a personalised report summarising achievements and identifying areas for improvement.

Several schools and Trusts across the nation have already submitted their survey and the results paint a mixed picture of progress, with more than 50% reporting budget and capacity barriers to achieving sustainability goals. Perhaps it is no surprise therefore that only 30% have a net zero date they are working towards, and only 25% state that the majority of employees know that climate action is a priority.

However, there is lots of hope… 65% are already utilising renewable energy and the same percentage are measuring their carbon emissions or actively working towards doing so.

Of the respondents, just over half, 55%, have a Climate Action Plan and the Greener Schools Index is a great place to start. The structured survey evaluates your progress across several areas, including air quality, biodiversity, catering management, energy, ICT, procurement, waste management and water. By completing the survey, a pdf report will be generated summarising your progress and highlighting all the areas where you’re doing well, while accessing an action plan of quick wins. that can be shared with Governors and Trustees, or used to inform your Climate Action Plan.

Participants rate the tool highly, with a 4.7/5 satisfaction score and feedback such as:

“Easy to use.”

“Really good strategic overview.”

“Excellent, very helpful.”

Join the movement and be a catalyst for change

The initial survey is open until 28 February 2025 at greenerschoolsindex.co.uk, after which we will publish a national report summarising the key findings. The report can serve as a lobbying tool to advocate for increased support and resources for schools. After this initial phase, survey submissions will be conducted on a termly basis throughout 2025 and beyond. This phased approach means that the sooner schools and trusts adopt this process, the quicker we can gain a comprehensive national view of how the sector is performing against its sustainability targets.

Wherever you are on your sustainability journey, the key is to get started and there is always more to do. Don’t miss out, add your voice to this important movement lobbying for more support for sustainability in schools.

Visit greenerschoolsindex.co.uk now.