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University College London (UCL) has recommended that every subject in England’s national curriculum should contribute to climate change and nature education. The proposal comes amid the current Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR), with the final recommendations due later this autumn.
An interim report published in March concluded that “rapid social, environmental and technological change necessitates that the curriculum keep pace”, including “greater focus on sustainability and climate science”.
UCL said that the aims of every subject in the national curriculum should include a reference to their distinctive contributions to climate change and nature education.
These aims – in part or in full – could be easily integrated into the revised curriculum and would legitimise and encourage teachers’ efforts to respond to the climate and nature crisis. Importantly, they would also highlight the role of skills and values alongside knowledge.
Dr Alison Kitson, programme director at UCL’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education, said: “We know that the CAR panel is looking to reduce … the amount of prescribed content in the revised curriculum. However, we also know there is an urgent need for the curriculum to reflect the climate and nature crisis in ways that are meaningful, constructive and empowering. This proposal sets out a way to achieve both at the same time.”
It ends with a statement underscoring teachers’ voices: “We know that many teachers would value more commitment from policymakers to support them in their desire to make young people’s education fully fit for purpose. To ignore the wishes of those people responsible for educating the youth of today would be a missed opportunity.”
A national partnership has been launched to bring together leaders from the social housing, net-zero homes and employment sectors to generate more green job opportunities.
Spearheaded by Communities that Work, the Housing, Growth and Green Jobs Alliance will ensure that social housing tenants are not left behind in the green transition.
By fostering collaboration, the group aims to help the UK meet its net-zero goals while unlocking skills, employment and economic growth opportunities.
Communities that Work managing director Lynsey Sweeney said: “The drive to decarbonise our homes is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Social housing communities are at the heart of this mission.
"By bringing together expertise from housing, employment and sustainability, we can ensure that the green transition delivers both environmental benefits and economic opportunity to those who need it most.”
Coastal communities across the UK are set to benefit from more than £1.1bn of investment for the maritime sector to unlock growth and jobs in engineering, green technology and construction.
The funding includes £700m of private investment for major ports and leading industry players, as well as £448m of public investment to reduce emissions from shipping.
The almost half a billion pounds will bolster the government’s UK SHORE programme, which supports the research and development of new clean maritime technologies and fuels, including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind power and more.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We’re committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping, steering us towards net zero by 2050 and cementing Britain’s place as a clean energy superpower through our Plan for Change.”
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of ISEP’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for ISEP members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.
