Climate Action Plans for Schools
How to take climate action in your school!
Go!
Summary
Climate Action Plans (CAPs) are a strategic framework for reducing the impacts of climate change and enhancing sustainability on a school, town, state, or national level.
Working Towards A Sustainable Future
Implementing Climate Action Plans In Schools
Why Do Schools Need CAPs?
Schools contribute to climate change in various ways, primarily through energy consumption, transportation emissions, and waste generation. Incorporating climate action in schools is not only a means of reducing environmental impacts, but it is also an important way to instill a sense of ‘green citizenship’ in students.
Built Environment
Plan
CAP Framework
Resource Management
Structure
Your CAP and its targets will be organized into a series of categories or sections. You can group targets together to create your categories and establish a clear flow. Each section should outline its related objectives, breaking down the CAP into smaller goals.
Sustainability & Resiliecy
Design
Career & Curriculum
Communicate
Culture & Leadership
Impress
Sample Climate Action Plans
Sample Climate Action Plans
See how schools are implementing climate action into their communities:
Prince George's County
Chicago Public Schools
Denver Public Schools
Additional Resources
Climate Action Funding Guide
Guide To Climate Action
Writing School CAPs
EPA
UNESCO
Derventio Education
Climate Resilience Toolkit
Climate Action Planning Guides
Schools Climate Action Planner
Climate Smart Communities
Transform Our World
Climate Action Tech. Resources
Climate Smart Schools
Key Questions To Get Started
CMRSC
World Resources Institute
Aspen Institute
Renewing America's Schools
Inflation Reduction Act
Climate Action Pathways
Department of Energy
CUndaunted K-12
CAPS
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Financing Your CAP
EU Action Projects
Second Nature
European Union
Evergreen Action
Sample Action Projects
For even more inspiration, check out some more projects here!
Taking Action
Implement change, with or without a CAP! Even smaller action projects contribute to a larger picture of climate action. Consider the Three Lenses as you develop your action projects:
Economic
Environmental
Social
Climate action can only succeed through collaboration- get your students and community involved!
Implementing sustainable initiatives is also good economic practice!
Make an impact on your school and community's environment
Environmental
Solar Power Installations: Enhance your school's energy efficiency and resilience by implementing solar panels! Also check out how to create your own solar oven for a class activity!
Economic
Identify a series of environmental & social impacts
Measure these impacts in monetary terms
Consider non-market values, such as ecosystem services
Consider long term costs and benefits of proposed changes
Conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis for Sustainability
Evaluate & compare alternatives, considering trade-offs
Social
Incorporate various civic engagement and creative action projects into your class activities. Encourage your students to work and explore their community, learning about the various impacts of climate change, through various mediums.
Explore how students in Kennebunk, ME used photojournalism to document the climatic changes to their town.
Built Environment
Environmental
Natural Environment
Action Projects
Resilience & Adapation
Climate action plans
Resource Management
Economic
Waste Reduction
Created at the state, county, town, & school levels
Green Careers
The Three Lenses
Human Health
Social
This chart is meant to represent the connection between CAP target categories & action projects. Action on any level can contribute to larger change!
Education
Additional Action Projects
Solar Power Installations
LED Light Installations
Renewable Energy Audit
CPrince George County, MD
Science In School
Project HillTop
Creating Schoolyard Habitats
Green Roof, Green Education
Designing a Rain Garden
National Wildlife Federation
Going Green NY
Contextualize your topic
Presentations to School Boards
Vehicle Electrification
Floating Wetlands
UndauntedK12
Electric School Bus Initiative
TCI
Calculating GHGs
Composting
Eco-Preferable Purchasing
Teaching Climate
Composting At School
CAL Recycle
Photojournalism
Integrating Climate Curriculum
EcoSchools Certification
TCI
Compass Education
CNational Wildlife Federation
Resource Management
Strategies for efficiency & conservation
Determine best practices for conserving school resources, while simultaneously enhancing their efficiency. This will help minimize your school's environmental footprint, while also resulting in cost savings.
- Energy Management
- Waste Management
- Materials Development
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Sustainability & Resiliency
Addressing climate change holistically
Addressing sustainability in all manners- environmentally, economically, socially- will serve to enhance your schooll's resiliency to future climate-related challenges and threats.
- Climate Curriculum Integration
- Sustainable Practices
- Community Engagement
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
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- Activate user tracking;
- Let the communication flow!
Career & Curriculum
Moving past the science
Climate change is an intersectional problem that correlates with a number of subjects and topics, and should be taught as such! Demonstrating how climate change relates to subjects and careers other than science can make the topic more approachable and relatable for students.
- Curriculum Integration
- Career Guidance & Preparation
- Skill Development
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
- Visit the Analytics settings;
- Activate user tracking;
- Let the communication flow!
Culture & Leadership
Sustainabilty starts with us
In order to enact change within your school or community, a culture of sustainability and climate leadership must be fostered. Sustainabilty should be considered a core value that can be achieved through the combined leadership of educators, students, and community members.
- Sustainability Campaigns & Initiatives
- Community Involvement
- Student Leadership
Built Environment
Addressing your school's human-made landscapes
The built environment includes the landscapes, structures, and infrastructures that make up your school and its operations.
- Energy operations
- Landscaping choices
- Construction materials and methods
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
- Visit the Analytics settings;
- Activate user tracking;
- Let the communication flow!
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
- Visit the Analytics settings;
- Activate user tracking;
- Let the communication flow!
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Transcript
Climate Action Plans for Schools
How to take climate action in your school!
Go!
Summary
Climate Action Plans (CAPs) are a strategic framework for reducing the impacts of climate change and enhancing sustainability on a school, town, state, or national level.
Working Towards A Sustainable Future
Implementing Climate Action Plans In Schools
Why Do Schools Need CAPs?
Schools contribute to climate change in various ways, primarily through energy consumption, transportation emissions, and waste generation. Incorporating climate action in schools is not only a means of reducing environmental impacts, but it is also an important way to instill a sense of ‘green citizenship’ in students.
Built Environment
Plan
CAP Framework
Resource Management
Structure
Your CAP and its targets will be organized into a series of categories or sections. You can group targets together to create your categories and establish a clear flow. Each section should outline its related objectives, breaking down the CAP into smaller goals.
Sustainability & Resiliecy
Design
Career & Curriculum
Communicate
Culture & Leadership
Impress
Sample Climate Action Plans
Sample Climate Action Plans
See how schools are implementing climate action into their communities:
Prince George's County
Chicago Public Schools
Denver Public Schools
Additional Resources
Climate Action Funding Guide
Guide To Climate Action
Writing School CAPs
EPA
UNESCO
Derventio Education
Climate Resilience Toolkit
Climate Action Planning Guides
Schools Climate Action Planner
Climate Smart Communities
Transform Our World
Climate Action Tech. Resources
Climate Smart Schools
Key Questions To Get Started
CMRSC
World Resources Institute
Aspen Institute
Renewing America's Schools
Inflation Reduction Act
Climate Action Pathways
Department of Energy
CUndaunted K-12
CAPS
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Financing Your CAP
EU Action Projects
Second Nature
European Union
Evergreen Action
Sample Action Projects
For even more inspiration, check out some more projects here!
Taking Action
Implement change, with or without a CAP! Even smaller action projects contribute to a larger picture of climate action. Consider the Three Lenses as you develop your action projects:
Economic
Environmental
Social
Climate action can only succeed through collaboration- get your students and community involved!
Implementing sustainable initiatives is also good economic practice!
Make an impact on your school and community's environment
Environmental
Solar Power Installations: Enhance your school's energy efficiency and resilience by implementing solar panels! Also check out how to create your own solar oven for a class activity!
Economic
Identify a series of environmental & social impacts
Measure these impacts in monetary terms
Consider non-market values, such as ecosystem services
Consider long term costs and benefits of proposed changes
Conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis for Sustainability
Evaluate & compare alternatives, considering trade-offs
Social
Incorporate various civic engagement and creative action projects into your class activities. Encourage your students to work and explore their community, learning about the various impacts of climate change, through various mediums.
Explore how students in Kennebunk, ME used photojournalism to document the climatic changes to their town.
Built Environment
Environmental
Natural Environment
Action Projects
Resilience & Adapation
Climate action plans
Resource Management
Economic
Waste Reduction
Created at the state, county, town, & school levels
Green Careers
The Three Lenses
Human Health
Social
This chart is meant to represent the connection between CAP target categories & action projects. Action on any level can contribute to larger change!
Education
Additional Action Projects
Solar Power Installations
LED Light Installations
Renewable Energy Audit
CPrince George County, MD
Science In School
Project HillTop
Creating Schoolyard Habitats
Green Roof, Green Education
Designing a Rain Garden
National Wildlife Federation
Going Green NY
Contextualize your topic
Presentations to School Boards
Vehicle Electrification
Floating Wetlands
UndauntedK12
Electric School Bus Initiative
TCI
Calculating GHGs
Composting
Eco-Preferable Purchasing
Teaching Climate
Composting At School
CAL Recycle
Photojournalism
Integrating Climate Curriculum
EcoSchools Certification
TCI
Compass Education
CNational Wildlife Federation
Resource Management
Strategies for efficiency & conservation
Determine best practices for conserving school resources, while simultaneously enhancing their efficiency. This will help minimize your school's environmental footprint, while also resulting in cost savings.
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
Sustainability & Resiliency
Addressing climate change holistically
Addressing sustainability in all manners- environmentally, economically, socially- will serve to enhance your schooll's resiliency to future climate-related challenges and threats.
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
Career & Curriculum
Moving past the science
Climate change is an intersectional problem that correlates with a number of subjects and topics, and should be taught as such! Demonstrating how climate change relates to subjects and careers other than science can make the topic more approachable and relatable for students.
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
Culture & Leadership
Sustainabilty starts with us
In order to enact change within your school or community, a culture of sustainability and climate leadership must be fostered. Sustainabilty should be considered a core value that can be achieved through the combined leadership of educators, students, and community members.
Built Environment
Addressing your school's human-made landscapes
The built environment includes the landscapes, structures, and infrastructures that make up your school and its operations.
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation:
Got an idea?
Use this space to add awesome interactivity. Include text, images, videos, tables, PDFs... even interactive questions! Premium tip: Get information on how your audience interacts with your creation: