Why every school is now expected to have a Climate Action Plan

The education sector is entering a pivotal phase. In 2025, schools and trusts were expected to demonstrate clearer, more accountable sustainability and climate action planning. This shift reflects the growing emphasis within government guidance, on responsible energy use, carbon reduction, and long-term financial sustainability.

Many education providers are expected to advance their Net-Zero ambitions while managing the reality of limited and often tightening budgets. Balancing these pressures demands for a more strategic approach to procurement and financial planning, ensuring sustainability goals can be achieved without compromising financial stability.

Building stronger sustainability and Climate‑Action Plans

The guidance sets out clear expectations for how education settings should plan for decarbonisation, resilience and long-term sustainability. As a result, schools are expected to focus on:

• Developing clear climate‑action or sustainability plans
• This plan should set out how the school will reduce its environmental impact over time, taking account of its buildings, operations and available resources, and demonstrating progress aligned with national net zero ambitions.
• Improving energy efficiency across buildings and estates
• Schools should identify and implement measures that enhance the overall efficiency of their buildings and infrastructure. This may include improving insulation, upgrading heating and ventilation systems, optimising lighting, and using energy‑management technologies to monitor and reduce consumption.
• Reducing long‑term operational costs and financial risk
• Sustainability planning supports more predictable and efficient use of resources over time. By improving asset performance and reducing avoidable energy use, schools can limit exposure to variable utility costs and unplanned maintenance.
• Ensuring value for money in sustainability‑related investments

Schools are expected to assess sustainability investments using clear, evidence‑based criteria. This includes considering whole‑life costs, anticipated savings, carbon‑reduction potential, and alignment with strategic priorities.

These are designed to help schools manage resources responsibly, strengthen financial sustainability and create healthier, more resilient environments for staff and pupils, while contributing to wider government climate objectives.

How we can support

We recognise that for many schools, the challenge is not a lack of ambition, but a lack of time, capacity and affordable routes to action. Sustainability expectations are increasing at the same time as budgets remain tight and competing priorities continue to grow.

While each school is ultimately responsible for developing and delivering its own Climate Action Plan, our role is to support practical, financially responsible progress where it aligns with wider school priorities.

Where schools are exploring low carbon improvements to their estates, our Financial Leasing Solutions framework can help finance investment in solutions such as LED lighting and solar. By spreading the cost over time rather than requiring significant upfront capital, this approach can support energy efficiency projects while helping schools protect cash flow and plan sustainably for the longer term.

LASER

Sustainability and efficiencies are at the core of what our fellow Commercial Services Group brand, LASER, do. If you are looking to reduce the energy usage in your school then LASER can support you on the delivery of your Climate Action Plan through LED lighting, rooftop solar and your energy procurement.

Social Value features highly in LASER’s mission and through the work they do with their energy suppliers, they have initiatives focused on bringing the conversation of energy into the classroom from energy workshops delivered in schools to sharing career stories - helping shape the young minds of today about what a difference we can all make by working together.

Working with over 5,000 schools and multi-academy trusts across the UK, LASER are the partners in assisting you with making your Climate Action Plan a reality.

Visit their dedicated schools page for more information.

References

• Sustainability and climate change strategy - GOV.UK
• Procurement Services