Southwark schools join forces to take climate action
31 October 2022
Southwark Council has launched Climate Action Schools, a network of schools in the borough which are working together to help tackle the climate emergency locally.
Leaders, teachers and students from Climate Action Schools gathered for the first time on Wednesday 19 October, alongside council officers and the Deputy Leader of Southwark Council. The network will continue to meet each term to share and learn more about how schools can actively help to reduce carbon emissions, protect plants and wildlife and teach young people about climate change.
The network provides a space where schools can share their work with each other and learn about new opportunities to support their goals. The opening meeting of the group gave teachers and support staff the opportunity to learn how other schools are benefitting from community power and retrofitting projects. They also talked about the challenges presented by the rising cost of energy and the opportunities presented by decarbonisation.
All schools in Southwark are invited to join the network - whether primary, secondary or a further education college. By being part of the network, the schools have access to:
- Resources, support and guidance for climate action
- Direct access to sustainability experts
- Collaborative and engaging workshops
- Support in becoming a Let’s Go Zero School
Speaking about the network, Councillor Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education and Refugees, said: “It’s exciting to launch Southwark’s Climate Action Schools so we can listen, learn and help our schools to achieve their ambition and take action on climate change.
“Southwark’s schools are the key to our future and getting this passionate group together has shown us that there is a massive appetite from schools and students to work together to tackle the climate crisis.”
Emma Beattie, Deputy Head at Victory School who attended the event, said: “Climate Change is such an important topic just now and will have an impact on our student's future. We are looking for ways in which we can elevate its presence in our curriculum and get the whole school community involved.
“With the current cost of living and energy price increases, it is important for us as a school to look at ways to reduce costs and energy use, so money can be spent on other resources. Meeting with other schools to discuss Climate Change will hopefully provide opportunities to save money and educate our children on how to save the planet.”
Page last updated: 01 November 2022
