For years, climate change and environmental sustainability were not seen as an issue for the public sector, let alone children’s services. But the recent proliferation of extreme weather “events” – which scientists link to the warming of the planet – has raised the pressure on policymakers to act, with the UK government putting the issue at the top of its domestic and international agenda.
In the lead up to the UK’s hosting of the COP26 climate conference in the autumn, the government developed a range of cross-Whitehall initiatives to implement more sustainable working practices, while individual ministries – including the Department for Education – are drawing up strategies that make tackling climate change a key target. In addition, funding and grants have been made available to charities and public agencies to invest in initiatives and programmes that support the UK’s transition to a greener economy and society.
The shift comes at a time of heightened anxiety and anger among young people over the issue, with many taking part in marches and protests in recent years over a perceived lack of action by politicians. Education and youth work professionals are seeing this passion and concern among young people first-hand in their work to support them.
Welfare agencies are warning that climate change around the world could increase the risk of poverty in the UK in the long term and preventative measures need to be introduced now. Meanwhile, many childcare providers and schools are building sustainability education into their teaching syllabus and putting into practice what they preach by investing in green technologies for their buildings.
CYP Now’s sustainable services special report looks at some of the key policies and research on sustainability and the issues driving it, and profiles examples of innovative practice across the children and young people’s sector.
Click the links below to read more:
Research evidence
Practice examples
