How should school governors prepare for 2025 climate action plans?

As the UK education sector moves toward its ambitious 2030 sustainability goals, academy trusts are under increasing pressure to implement robust climate action plans in line with the 2025 target. At the heart of this transformation lies a critical group of leaders: school governors.

Governors play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of academy trusts. Their engagement in sustainability leadership is essential. But what exactly are their responsibilities, and how can these be effectively communicated?

The strategic role of governors in sustainability

According to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, all education settings must have a nominated sustainability lead and a climate action plan in place by 2025. Governors are expected to:

1. Provide strategic oversight

Governors must ensure that sustainability is embedded into the academy trust’s long-term vision and operational strategy. This includes:

Approving the climate action plan
Monitoring progress toward net zero
Ensuring alignment with the trust’s educational mission

2. Champion accountability

Governors should hold leadership accountable for delivering on sustainability goals. This includes reviewing:

Annual emissions reports
Energy and water efficiency measures
Waste and procurement strategies

3. Support resource allocation

From approving budgets for green infrastructure to endorsing staff training, governors must ensure that sustainability initiatives are adequately resourced.

4. Engage stakeholders

Governors can help foster a culture of sustainability by engaging with:

Staff and students
Parents and carers
Local communities and businesses

5. Promote climate education

Governors should support the integration of climate education and green careers into the curriculum, ensuring students are equipped for a sustainable future.

Communicating responsibilities effectively

To ensure governors are empowered to lead on sustainability, clear and consistent communication is key. Here’s how academy trusts - and UHY - can help:

Induction and training

Include sustainability in governor induction packs and offer ongoing training on climate literacy and regulatory expectations.

Use visual tools

Dashboards, infographics and emissions trackers can make complex data accessible and actionable for governors.

Regular reporting

Make sustainability a standing item on board agendas. Provide concise updates on progress, challenges and opportunities.

Share success stories

Highlight case studies from within the trust or other schools to inspire action and demonstrate impact.

Facilitate collaboration

Encourage governors to participate in sustainability committees and connect with peer networks or local climate initiatives.

How we can help

At UHY Hacker Young we provide carbon accounting and sustainability advisory for academy trusts to support them in preparing their climate action plans. We support governors and leadership teams by: