Climate action: The change that Academy Trusts cannot afford to ignore

Academy Trusts are facing a growing set of expectations around sustainability requirements, driven by multiple government and sector-wide initiatives. The Department for Education’s (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy sets out a clear expectation: all Trusts should appoint a Sustainability Lead by the end of 2025.

Alongside this, Trusts are strongly encouraged to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to guide their environmental strategy.  

This direction is reinforced by several other developments. The Academy Trust Handbook 2025 introduces sustainability as a key consideration. Additionally, the Charity Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2026 Exposure Draft proposes enhanced reporting on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) actions and objectives, highlighting that such factors are becoming integral to financial accountability. In the private sector, the announcement of a consultation phase for UK Sustainability Reporting Standards also confirms that this is the direction we are heading in and highlights that organisations need to start preparing now. 

What leadership need to do

The first step is to ensure that a Sustainability Lead is appointed by the end of 2025. This individual should be empowered to work across departments, report to senior leadership, and coordinate the Trust’s climate initiatives. 

In parallel, Trusts should begin developing a Climate Action Plan. While not yet mandatory, a CAP is strongly recommended and will likely become a key component of future regulatory expectations. As we know in the Academy sector, should tend to become musts. 

What should a Climate Action Plan include?

Developing a CAP is open to interpretation, however based on best practice guidance and what we see as being of the most value to Trusts, a strong Climate Action Plan should be structured around three core pillars – Climate,  Engagement, and Governance – to ensure it is comprehensive, actionable, and aligned with both regulatory expectations and the Trust’s values. 

Ultimately, the beginning of any successful strategy development is to engage your stakeholders. Begin with identifying what is important to them, what they would want to see and how they feel they can be involved. Collaboration is key. The details of the pillars can then be planned. 

Climate

This pillar focuses on understanding and reducing the Trust’s environmental impact. Key actions include: 

• Conducting a baseline assessment of your carbon emissions, energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and travel emissions across all sites to identify high-impact areas and establish a foundation for measurable progress. 
• Identifying cost-saving opportunities by linking carbon data to financial performance, such as through energy efficiency or waste reduction. 
• Setting clear, measurable targets tailored to the Trust’s context and informed by baseline data. 
• Implementing operational actions such as upgrading lighting and heating systems, installing renewable energy sources, and waste management improvements. 
• Assessing suppliers and procurement practices to identify more sustainable alternatives and reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain. Often engaging your supply chain can lead to them offering more sustainable alternatives. 

Engagement

This pillar ensures that sustainability is embedded across the Trust community and supported by all stakeholders. Key actions include: 

• Engaging students through eco-committees, sustainability projects, and curriculum integration to embed environmental awareness and leadership. 
• Training staff on sustainable practices and their role in delivering the Climate Action Plan. 
• Involving parents and local communities through events, communications, and collaborative initiatives. 
• Promoting a culture of sustainability that encourages behavioural change and shared responsibility across all levels of the Trust. 

Governance

This pillar provides the structure for accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. Key actions include: 

• Establishing a monitoring and reporting framework to track progress against sustainability targets and operational actions. 
• Reporting regularly to trustees, leadership teams, and stakeholders to maintain transparency and build Trust. 
• Reviewing and aligning internal policies (e.g. procurement and travel) to ensure they support climate objectives. 
• Aligning reporting practices with external expectations such as the Academy Trust Handbook and Charity SORP to ensure compliance and readiness for future regulatory developments. 
• Using data to inform decision-making and demonstrate the environmental and financial impact of sustainability initiatives over time. 

How we can support

Our ESG Team is here to help Academy Trusts navigate these evolving requirements. We offer strategic advice on structuring the Sustainability Lead role, support in developing tailored Climate Action Plans around these pillars for you, and tools for measuring and reporting environmental performance. We also provide guidance on aligning with the expectations of the Academy Trust Handbook, Academy Accounts Direction, and Charity SORP.

If you would like advice on any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch.