Getting started on your Climate Action Plan.
To help you get started, we’ve pulled together guidance on creating a Climate Action Plan, along with information on the support and resources available to you. You can also explore examples from other schools to see how they’ve approached their plans.
Our upcoming online training sessions are designed to help you understand the requirements of a Climate Action Plan and provide practical guidance, tools, and resources to support delivery.
Developing your Climate Action Plan 3.45pm – 5.00pm on 13 October 2026
Implementing your Climate Action Plan 3.45pm – 5.00pm on 24 November 2026
Sign up by emailing us at: HealthySchools@northyorks.gov.uk
Government Guidance for Schools
Sustainability leadership and climate action plans in education
The Department for Education’s (DfE) strategy for sustainability and climate change.
National Programmes
Climate Action Plan template
The Climate Ambassadors programme have produced guidance and a template for Climate Action Plans.
Education National Nature Park
Resources and activities linking to ‘Biodiversity’ section of Climate Action Plan and developing your school grounds.
Climate Ambassadors
Climate Ambassadors volunteers can support climate action plan development and activities in school for free.
Let's Go Zero
Regional free advisors to support you to write your climate action plan.
Count Your Carbon
Easy to use carbon calculator to create the baseline carbon footprint for your school.
Sustainability Support for Education
Online repository for resources and quality-assured documents to aid you and your settings.
Eco Schools
Resources and activities for pupil led action in school around ten key sustainability topics
Resources for North Yorkshire Schools
Other Supporting Organisations and Resources
Aire River Trust
Borrow the river table, download games and activities set on and near the River Aire ( from its origin in Malham to meeting the Humber estuary)
Another Way
Fully funded climate & nature workshops for secondary schools & youth groups
Through a series of fun, interactive and thought-provoking activities, explore contemporary environmental topics.
Chrysalis Arts
The Woodland Art Adventure has been designed to bring kids outdoors and help them find a deeper connection to the ecological world around them.
Climate community action in North Yorkshire
Contact your local climate action group to link into community action near your school.
Climate Change Community Enews
North Yorkshire Council monthly enews on climate change includes items on events, funding and council and community activities
Energy Heroes
Free, Award Winning Primary Maths, Energy and Climate Change programme including workshops and twilight training for schools in Yorkshire
Green Careers
A toolkit from York and North Yorkshire Careers hub including three green challenges that can be delivered in school with support from employers and links to facts and statistics on Net Zero jobs in North Yorkshire
Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Join the RHS Campaign for School Gardening for opportunities to grow and connect with nature, with training, resources and advice.
Howardian Hills Natural Landscapes
Support schools within the National Landscape boundary on their journey through the National Education Nature Parks initiative through grants for nature improvement projects.
JBA Trust
Resources and interactive models (rivers, cost, weather, flood risk) that can be used to support learning activities for all ages in the classroom and the community. The demonstrations for the mini hydraulic flume, coastal wave tank and augmented reality sandbox are also available as short films.
Nidderdale National Landscape
Watery Wildlife Resource Pack: Yorkshire’s rivers are home to a rich variety of wildlife including otters, native crayfish and colourful kingfishers. The Watery Wildlife Resource Pack provides a range of indoor and outdoor activities to help children learn about the vibrant life living in our rivers.
North York Moors National Park
Curriculum-linked activities led by qualified and experienced leaders from the National Park Outdoor Learning Team and are based at Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank National Park Centres. Activities last from an hour to a full day.
Rivers and us
The rivers and us toolkit supports children and staff in primary schools across York and North Yorkshire to explore their relationship with the rivers that shape the places they live.
Rivers Trust
Schools along the Rivers Wharfe, Swale, Ure, Nidd and Ouse, and their tributaries can book Rivers2U mobile classroom to learn about the geography of rivers, the water cycle, wildlife and habitats, flooding, sustainable drainage systems and natural flood management. Contact education@ydrt.co.uk
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Educating future generations about all aspects of farming, food and the countryside. They offer a range of educational events, shows, lesson planning, grants and training courses.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Offer curriculum-linked activities
Yorkshire Water
Learn more about WaterAid, The Water Cycle, how to make water safe to drink, and what happens to waste water through have live virtual assemblies, in-school workshops, visits to centres (outside North Yorkshire) and online teacher CPD. Virtual careers talks and Q&A on ‘What Yorkshire Water does’,
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Schools visits and workshops at Potteric Carr, Stirley, Living Seas Centre or Spurn) to learn more about wildlife conservation, their local environment, food growing and much more. (Fee involved)
Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership
Education packs for hands-on, accessible activities, enabling pupils to investigate real-world coastal challenges while developing key academic skills.
Youth Voice
Yorkshire & Humber Regional Youth Climate Assembly are bringing together young people working on climate and the environment, and sharing information on work being done across the region. Staff can do in school sessions.
University of York Sustainability Clinic
The Sustainability Clinic connects York students with local organisations, including schools, to tackle real-world environmental and social challenges.