Context

The Department for Education’s (DfE) 2022 Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy was a significant step for climate education, with the ambitious aim of making the UK “the world-leading education sector in sustainability and climate change by 2030”.

Two years on, some progress has been made but there remain significant gaps left to fill. The OVO Foundation commissioned Seahorse to examine the state of climate education in England – including key barriers and solutions to progress, and recommendations as to how the DfE’s ambitious aim can be met.

Our activity

We carried out desk-based research, ran a workshop with OVO Foundation partners working in the climate education sector, and conducted a series of interviews with key stakeholders including teachers, students, policymakers, and campaigners.

The resulting report convened perspectives across the sector, outlining the key barriers and solutions to improving climate education. We provided recommendations as to how campaigners should engage with the new Labour Government to raise awareness of climate education, including leveraging the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

Our impact

To raise the profile of climate education among Labour stakeholders, we launched the report at Labour Party Conference 2024. 

The launch event featured a diverse panel who discussed how young people are key to achieving Labour's net-zero goal. Moderated by OVO Foundation’s Chair Gina Cicerone, the panel consisted of OVO’s CEO David Buttress, young campaigner Liv Marshall, teacher Nicola Knowles, Barry Gardiner MP, and Labour peer Lord Knight. 

Following the Party Conference, Seahorse also secured a meeting with the Education Minister to discuss the report’s findings.