Schools as key drivers of climate neutrality

With the challenges posed by climate change, the role of schools in shaping a sustainable future has never been more important. Schools create awareness for sustainable development and can implement relevant measures. They are important multipliers, educate future generations and are thus, driving forces in the transition to climate neutrality. This also means that schools themselves must transform into climate-neutral schools. An undertaking with which they should not be left alone.

“Vision 2045” – working together for a sustainable future

The Visions 2045 project emphasizes the importance of this transition and promotes a collective commitment of schools in this area through concrete measures: Twelve schools in Bulgaria, Poland and Slovenia are working together with their local communities to implement measures to save greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, the schools initially developed individual roadmaps to climate neutrality for their own schools in so-called vision workshops. Building on this, they are now looking for support to implement these plans.

If a school wants to become climate-neutral, cooperation is required. One example would be cooperation and support from non-school partners, such as local authorities, for the successful implementation of holistic sustainability measures. Another example would be cooperation with external partners, e.g. to make the school building energy and resource efficient or to provide clean drinking water. However, many schools find it difficult to establish collaborations that often are essential implementing measures. Especially because they often operate in their own ecosystem and address their actions and messages mainly to the school community. In the following, we describe approaches to initiating such collaborations for schools.

Starting in your own community

Even if schools may initially find it difficult to initiate partnerships with external stakeholders, the conditions for that are good. In our experience, external stakeholders are very open to joint initiatives with schools. However, they are not prepared to initiate these and approach schools on their own. Schools must therefore be proactive in the search for such partnerships and, ideally, organize face-to-face meetings in order to facilitate a fruitful relationship. A first place to start can be your own community. Municipalities are a very useful channel for schools to find partners, especially in smaller towns. Invitations for potential partnerships sent by the municipal administration e.g. lead to a higher response rate and more commitment.

Finding local players

When it comes to cooperation with companies, initiatives and organizations, local players should be found. These usually have strong ties to the location and are thus, interested in cooperating with the school. Neighborhood residents, parents and representatives of local authorities can also be asked for their expertise and possible support. The Visions 2045 project brought together numerous representatives of local schools, the city administration and local public companies, including organizations such as public transport companies and energy suppliers. The latter play a central role in ensuring that the schools’ sustainability efforts are supported with the necessary infrastructure and resources. To facilitate collaboration, schools are usually expected to have an initial plan or idea of what the partnership could look like. What do they want to achieve and what could the partner possibly contribute to. Creating and communicating a school vision on climate neutrality helps to have a basis for discussion and increases the likelihood of getting support. In addition, sharing best practice from other schools, regions or countries can show them ways forward and give ideas on how to interact with schools. For example, a Polish project school approached a DIY store with the idea of collecting rainwater for the school garden. The newly acquired partner not only sponsored rainwater tanks, but also provided volunteers to install them.

Paying attention to mutual benefits

At the same time, schools should ask themselves and research what the potential partner could gain from this. Due to the above-mentioned local ties of local players, they have an interest in corresponding image and PR activities. In some cases, external partners would like to introduce themselves to students in order to recruit future employees. It is advantageous for schools to identify the needs of their desired partners and then endeavor to make an appropriate offer. We also recommend that schools activate parents’ professional networks as a source of new contacts and possible collaboration. Former students can also be a powerful asset as they are often willing to support the school for idealistic purposes, especially in smaller towns.

A model for broader change

Schools can be effective agents of change, both through educating future generations and through their real efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. As part of the Visions 2045 project, each participating school has launched its own pilot actions to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, promote sustainable mobility and much more. In addition, the initiative creates opportunities for students to engage with local industries and public services. Plans to organize educational visits to waste management facilities, water utilities, and energy providers, for example, help deepen students’ understanding of sustainability beyond the school grounds. Thanks to these initiatives, the school’s activities gain wider recognition in the city and have the chance to continue working with stakeholders to promote fostering school climate actions. Municipalities can integrate these sustainability efforts into the city’s broader climate neutrality strategy.

With a strong network of local partners, there is a real opportunity to extend the knowledge gained from these schools to the entire region. Our experience shows that a clear goal and plan, combined with an effort to engage partners, brings success and tangible results.

In early 2025, we will publish manuals for schools and municipalities with further insights and recommendations to make a transformation to climate neutrality work, step by step.