STATEMENT: Groundwork’s response to the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

In response to the latest Department for Education announcement, Andy Harrison, Head of Contracts at Groundwork, said:

“It is good to see the Department for Education recognising the vital role that schools can play in tackling the climate and nature crises. Young people consistently tell us that they wish they had learned more at school about climate change and the natural world. The new Natural History GCSE is one step towards that, but a whole-school approach is needed, and we are particularly pleased to see the Department committing to carbon literacy training for sustainability leads in every school and embedding sustainability into teaching in further education.

“Young people have been leading voices calling for action on climate change, but improved education on climate and sustainability will also allow them to access the benefits of a growing green economy. Groundwork’s new policy report, published this week, calls for improved careers advice to ensure young people are aware of the opportunities out there and the creation of accessible pathways into green jobs – we look forward to working with schools, colleges and the Department to make this a reality.”

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