Sustainability Targets for Schools

Across the UK, schools and education settings are taking centre stage in the journey toward a greener, more sustainable future, and EV charging should be a crucial part of the strategy.

Under the Department for Education’s (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, every education setting, including early years providers, schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges, and universities, is expected to play a vital role in achieving the government’s net-zero and carbon-reduction targets.

By September 2025, all education settings must have nominated a Sustainability Lead and put in place a Climate Action Plan outlining how they will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and embed sustainability across their organisation.

At Pro EV, we support the education sector by providing practical solutions that help schools meet these sustainability goals, from installing solar-compatible EV charging infrastructure to supporting applications for funding and grants that reduce EV charger installation costs.

The government’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for Education and Children’s Services sets out a framework to make the UK’s education system a global leader in sustainability by 2030.

Its five key action areas are:

1. Climate Education – empowering teachers, students, and sustainability leads with the knowledge to take action.
2. Green Skills and Careers – preparing young people for careers that support a sustainable economy.
3. Education Estate and Infrastructure – improving the energy efficiency of buildings, investing in renewables, and decarbonising operations.
4. Operations and Supply Chain – embedding sustainability in procurement and management processes.
5. International Collaboration – sharing best practices and learning globally.

The strategy also introduces national initiatives, such as the National Education Nature Park, which connects students and staff with biodiversity projects and community action, and the Climate Action Award, which celebrates leadership and innovation in sustainability.

Every education setting is required to:

• Nominate a Sustainability Lead to coordinate efforts and act as a point of contact for the DfE.
• Develop and implement a Climate Action Plan that covers teaching, estate management, and operations.
• Appoint or engage with Climate Action Advisors who can help structure and review plans.
• Encourage volunteer Climate Ambassadors among staff and students to promote practical initiatives.
• Monitor and report on energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste reduction progress.
• Integrate sustainability into governance, leadership, and curriculum.

These requirements aim to ensure that sustainability is embedded across every level of education.

Each education setting should aim to achieve net-zero emissions by defining measurable targets that address energy, waste, water, and travel.

Examples include:

• Reducing total greenhouse gas emissions year-on-year.
• Cutting electricity consumption per pupil or per square metre.
• Increasing the percentage of on-site renewable generation (e.g., solar).
• Reducing car-based commuting through EV charging access or staff car-share schemes.
• Engaging the community in biodiversity or rewilding projects linked to the National Education Nature Park.