Creating governance and accountability

Governance and accountability frameworks are recognised as critical features of successful organisations. The DfE Sustainability and Climate Change strategy (2003) recognises the important role accountability will play in delivering positive environmental outcomes for the education sector

“Sector leadership and institution-level accountability for sustainability will be key for success.”

Accountability in climate action initiatives helps to ensure our actions align with our goals, resources are judiciously utilised, and outcomes are transparently reported.

• Accountability helps ensure that sustainability efforts are not merely performative but are grounded in tangible actions and outcomes.
• The accountability framework encourages measurement of progress against specific objectives and targets, making it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. This evaluation is crucial for identifying areas of success as well as those requiring improvement.
• Accountability mechanisms encourage a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement, ensuring that schools not only preach sustainability but also practice it in a manner that is visible and impactful.
• Accountability engenders trust among stakeholders — students, parents, staff, and the community at large. When school Governors and Trustees are transparent about their sustainability efforts and outcomes, they build confidence in their leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship.

How? Creating accountability

Creating accountability in climate action involves several key steps:

Setting Objectives: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) sustainability goals, aligned with broader educational goals and values.

Agreeing monitoring mechanisms: Using data and metrics to track progress against sustainability objectives. For example, energy consumption audits, waste reduction records, and assessments of sustainability education outcomes.

Reporting and communication: Regular communication of progress, challenges, and successes in sustainability efforts to all stakeholders. Transparency is key to maintaining trust and accountability.

Engaging stakeholders: Involving the school community in sustainability initiatives, including creating opportunities for students, staff, and parents to contribute and participate in sustainability actions.

Reviewing and adjusting strategies: Continuously assessing the effectiveness of sustainability strategies and adjusting as needed, ensuring sustainability efforts remain relevant and impactful.

The role of Governors, Trustees and senior leaders

As stewards of their institutions, Governors and Trustees are uniquely positioned to embed sustainability into the fabric of school ethos and educational and operational practices. Governors, Trustees and senior leaders are ultimately responsible for ensuring that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a principle that is actively pursued. They have the power to appoint sustainability leaders and integrate sustainability into school policies, curricula, and operations. By advocating for sustainable practices, they can influence the school community’s attitudes and behaviours towards the environment.

Their leadership is crucial in creating an educational environment that prepares students not only academically but also as responsible global citizens who are aware of their environmental impact.

Furthermore, Governors and Trustees act as a bridge between educational institutions and the wider community. They can foster partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and community groups to support sustainability initiatives. Through such collaborations, schools can become models of sustainability, demonstrating how educational settings can contribute to broader environmental goals.

Consider the barriers 

 Despite the clear benefits of integrating sustainability into school governance structures, there are significant challenges to overcome. These include:

• Lack of knowledge. The majority of Governors, Trustees and senior leaders won’t have experience implementing effective climate action plans.
• Balancing sustainability goals with other pressing educational priorities.
• Resistance to change, which can manifest among staff, students, or the wider community.
• Limited resources hindering the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives.

Considering the barriers to success and how each can be navigated is a critical aspect of governance that should not be overlooked. Strong leadership, clear communication, an understanding of risk, and stakeholder engagement – ensuring that the benefits of sustainability initiatives are widely understood and supported – must be priorities in strategic planning.

Governance and accountability play a crucial role in the successful integration of sustainability into the educational framework. Governors and Trustees, guided by the DfE Sustainability and Climate Change strategy and supported by insights from external experts, have the opportunity to lead by example and embed sustainability into the DNA of educational institutions. By overcoming the barriers to effective governance and accountability, schools can not only enhance their sustainability outcomes but also equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in a sustainable future.

To find out more about how UKSSN could help your school, please visit https://ops.ukssn.org/