Visit Carbon Neutral Cornwall HIVE - Schools Net Zero Tool Box

Let's Build A Greener, Brighter Future Together!

Eco- Warriors

The Schools Net Zero Toolkit has resources and tools to help schools and home education groups in their response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

This toolkit is designed to support schools to educate young people and offers practical tips that can be used not only in school but also at home.

Many schools are making a difference to climate change through their climate action projects, schemes and initiatives, and we can all work together to continue the good work that is already happening.

If you have any resources or tools that we can share here, to help other school communities, please contact the Council's Eco-Education Project Manager by email: CarbonNeutral.Education@cornwall.gov.uk

Funding Opportunities

Eco-Schools

Eco- Education Business Partnership

How Can We Help You?

Do you know you have a Eco-Education Project Manger in Cornwall?

This year, Cornwall Council is partnering with Eco-Schools and Let’s Go Zero to enhance your eco-education curriculum and Eco-Clubs. This year we would also like to help decarbonise your school buildings and grounds. Your Eco-Education Project Manager will connect your school with climate advisors who will develop Climate Action Plans for you. Additionally, they will assess your buildings and recommend improvements to reduce carbon emissions and save costs. Please read more about Let's Go Zero in the News section below.

Your advisor will work with headteachers/site managers to develop a school Climate Action Plan tailored to your school's needs. This will address the DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (2023), which suggests that by the end of 2025 all education settings should have a nominated climate lead and a clear Climate Action Plan in place They will provide guidance on reducing your emissions and outline the necessary steps, followed by connecting you with organisations who may be able to help fund new initiatives.

To learn how Cornwall Council can help, please contact your Eco-Education Project Manager.

She can assist you in the following ways:

Help you to cut your carbon footprint using the Eco-Schools Cut Your Carbon Calculator.
Help achieve your Eco-School Accreditation by providing you will an action plan to follow and the resources needed to achieve the award. She may also be able to assist with funding your award.
Find the right information you need in relation to your eco-education, clubs, and buildings.
Organise meetings with Council Teams who may be able to assist with your needs, Eco-School managers and Let’s Go Zero climate advisors.
Networking giving STL/Teachers the opportunity to learn from each other through regular catch up events, in person and online
Assisting with finding funding for eco-projects.
Organising workshops offering a variety of workshops to suit your needs.
Providing regular updates via the newsletter.

Please check out the important links section to learn more about our partnerships.

Cornwall also has it's own Eco- Education Project Manager to support you on your journey. Please contact Charlotte: CarbonNeutral.Education@cornwall.gov.uk

Young people are our future, give them a voice!

Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund

Cornwall Council and Crowdfunder’s Climate and Nature Fund supports projects that will help our response to climate change and promote nature recovery. If your idea or project meets the criteria, you can apply for a grant to match fund up to £5,000 - for exceptional projects that could offer a larger impact, we may offer grants of up to £15,000. Outdoor classrooms, enhancing or creating habitats on school grounds, renewable energy, and behaviour change projects are all within scope. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Read more about this funding opportunity here! Get in touch with the team if you have any questions: climatechange@cornwall.gov.uk

Workplace Charging Scheme

The Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Education Institutions is a government grant designed to support schools, colleges, and other eligible institutions in installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points on their premises. This initiative helps promote sustainable travel and reduce carbon emissions within the education sector. The scheme offers financial support to cover a portion of the installation costs, making it easier for institutions to transition to greener transport solutions. Full details and application guidance can be found here: Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Education Institutions.

Read more here: Funding Scheme

Exciting Eco opportunities

Forest for Cornwall

Be a part of the Forest for Cornwall – plant a tree!

Learn about the Forest for Cornwall programme by visiting Forest For Cornwall. For information on funding and practical support to plant trees, hedges, mini forests, or orchards in local communities and schools, please contact: ForestforCornwall@cornwall.gov.uk

Cornwall Climate Care

Climate Education

FREE Climate Change workshops for primary and secondary schools

Do you want to help your students understand climate change in an accessible, enjoyable way? Do you worry about your students suffering climate anxiety? These FREE workshops for students from EYFS to Key Stage 5 could help!

Following a huge demand in the 2023/24 academic year, Cornwall Climate Care, a local charity making documentaries about the impacts of climate change and innovative solutions being used to reduce these, are delighted to extend their offer of free workshops on the effects of climate change on topics such as our oceans, coastal erosion, food systems and, new for 2024/25, energy production.

These workshops increase understanding of the causes of climate change and its effects on the chosen topic, by using interactive activities to make an intimidating topic accessible and fun. They also inspire hope and positivity by demonstrating how anyone can make a difference regardless of their age.

For more information please contact Cornwall Climate Care’s Education Coordinator, Hayley Hill, via hayley@cornwallclimate.org or visit her website – bookings now open for the 2024/25 academic year.

See our News and Events and Activities Boards below

Let's Build A Greener, Brighter Future Together!

Eco- Warriors

The Schools Net Zero Toolkit has resources and tools to help schools and home education groups in their response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

This toolkit is designed to support schools to educate young people and offers practical tips that can be used not only in school but also at home.

Funding Opportunities

Eco-Schools

Eco- Education Business Partnership

How Can We Help You?

Do you know you have a Eco-Education Project Manger in Cornwall?

To learn how Cornwall Council can help, please contact your Eco-Education Project Manager.

She can assist you in the following ways:

Help you to cut your carbon footprint using the Eco-Schools Cut Your Carbon Calculator.
Help achieve your Eco-School Accreditation by providing you will an action plan to follow and the resources needed to achieve the award. She may also be able to assist with funding your award.
Find the right information you need in relation to your eco-education, clubs, and buildings.
Organise meetings with Council Teams who may be able to assist with your needs, Eco-School managers and Let’s Go Zero climate advisors.
Networking giving STL/Teachers the opportunity to learn from each other through regular catch up events, in person and online
Assisting with finding funding for eco-projects.
Organising workshops offering a variety of workshops to suit your needs.
Providing regular updates via the newsletter.

Please check out the important links section to learn more about our partnerships.

Cornwall also has it's own Eco- Education Project Manager to support you on your journey. Please contact Charlotte: CarbonNeutral.Education@cornwall.gov.uk

Young people are our future, give them a voice!

Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund

Workplace Charging Scheme

Eco-School Success

Tantalising Tree Corridor Created

Happy Tree Planting

The Education Business Partnership (EPB) works closely with Eco-Schools, which is a programme that helps young people to make a difference in their school, local community, and beyond by taking seven steps to protect the environment. For this academic year, EBP are funding primary schools to gain their Green Flag Status, on a first come first serve basis.

As May approaches, the opening for Eco School applications draws near. EBP works diligently to involve employers in visiting primary schools throughout the county to impart their expertise. A particularly engaging event occurred at Nanstallon Primary School, where a small orchard was established with support from George Kessel, a professional gardener, and trees were provided by Ben Norward. Despite the rainy weather in February, it was a wonderfully enriching afternoon for all involved.

Hard work but worth it!

Mr. Ben Stephenson, the headteacher at Nanstallon School, is an inspiration to us all and is dedicated to educating his pupils about climate change and consistently seeks to inspire the young minds in his care.

Mr Ben Stephenson: "At Nanstallon, we have identified the challenges that we can do something about and that will make a tangible difference. We reduced our daily food waste by 85%; we changed the products we use to clean our school that impacts the environment and human health negatively; we planted lots of native trees and shrubs, created class gardens; and we significantly reduced paper and printing costs."

Tremendous Tree Orchard

Air Quality at Mounts Bay Academy

Mounts Bay Academy are keen participants of the Eco-Schools programme and they have been busy working with the Cornwall Council Air Quality Team to produce an awe-inspiring film.

This pilot study commenced at the onset of the 2022 academic year, facilitated by Cornwall Council Air Quality Officers and a medical professional from West Cornwall Hospital. Their collaborative effort involved delivering a presentation to Year 8 students on the adverse effects of poor air quality on health. Subsequently, an Air Quality Ambassadors group was established.

This group engaged closely with Council Air Quality Officers and Public Health team members, receiving guidance on crafting and executing effective campaigns. As part of their independent initiatives, the Ambassadors worked with a professional film producer to create a film on their efforts. This film has been showcased at numerous Cornwall Council meetings, as well as presented to the Town Council by the Ambassadors. Additionally, a newsletter featuring the film was distributed to parents of MBA students, contributing to heightened awareness. Interviews with bus drivers further enriched their outreach efforts.

Currently, the Ambassadors are expanding their project scope by seeking funding support from Penzance Town Council. Moreover, they have secured forthcoming opportunities for collaboration with Devon and Cornwall rail. Their unwavering dedication underscores their commitment to promoting clean air and mitigating air pollution within their community.

Please see below to view this outstanding project.