May Newsletter
Hello Sustainability Superstars!
The Eco-Schools’ Green Flag application window is now open! At Eco-Schools’ HQ our hardworking assessment team is already busy awarding Green Flags and admiring the environmental efforts of change-making Eco-Committees and inspirational educators like yourself. With the application remaining open until 31st July, there’s still plenty of time left to submit an application. Below, you’ll find ideas, advice, and inspiration to help you achieve Green Flag success in 2024, good luck!
What is an Eco-Schools Green Flag?
Ever wondered what it means to achieve an Eco-Schools’ Green Flag for your school, college, or nursery? Watch this 1 minute video to find out!
Need Help Applying?
If you’re having any difficulty submitting your Green Flag application, check out this short video for support. Alternatively, get in touch, we’re always happy to help!
Healthy Summer Toolkit
Eco-Schools’ latest initiative spotlights the connection between physical, mental, and environmental health. Head to the ‘Get Active’ section of our website to find out more, click here to watch our introduction video featuring Kit Brown, or click on the button below to register and get your free toolkit packed with fun activities and resources.
50+ Action Plan Ideas
50 Eco-Projects is a fresh resource for 2023-2024. It features over 50 activity ideas, each categorised by cost and difficulty. If you’re seeking a last-minute project to boost your Eco-Schools’ Green Flag application, this resource is the ideal place to explore! Login to your Eco-Schools account and click on the Action Plan resources to access it.
Count Your Carbon Just Got Better and Will Soon Get Even Bigger!
Reporting is Improving! Following feedback, we’ve updated Count Your Carbon to give you even more insight into your school’s carbon emissions. When you complete a calculation, your report will now reveal emissions across 11 key areas: electricity, fuel-use, waste, water, school trips, school-owned vehicles, staff and student commute, food, uniform, and procurement. Click here to Count Your Carbon at countyourcarbon.org!
We’re Adding New Features! We’re excited to announce that Count Your Carbon is one of five UK school sustainability projects that will receive £100,000 from Let’s Go Zero, to boost green measures and reduce carbon emissions. The funds will support the addition of a new section that will allow staff and pupils to apply hypothetical changes to their most recent footprint, modelling potential carbon reductions.
And finally,
- Make sure you don’t miss any climate events this summer with Let’s Go Zero’s #ClimateActionCountdown. This campaign brings all the climate charities (including Eco-Schools!) and events together in one place. Click here to sign up!
- The Soil Association are creating a UK worm map and they need your help! Getting involved is easy (and a lot of fun), and you have until 31st May to report your findings. Click here for more information.
- Outdoor Classroom Day is on Thursday 23rd May. This global movement wants to make outdoor learning a part of every child’s day!
- The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild is back. The campaign challenges everyone involved to do one wild thing a day throughout June. Schools receive a free resource pack and you can register here.
- World Ocean Day is on the 7th June and schools can register to participate in a world-first global experiment, watch a live assembly, and access resources.
- The Great Big Green Week begins on 8th June and you can sign up for a free school pack here.
- Teach the Teacher has two exciting new roles for young people aged 14-25! These paid roles are for campaign coordinators for an exciting new campaign about climate education. If you have an Eco-Committee member that would be perfect for the role, forward them this link. Closing date 3rd June!