Schools climate action guide and template
Food
The food we eat, grow, and buy has a big impact on how we reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
12% of greenhouse emissions in the UK are from farming. Across the globe, how we grow, make and move around food leads to 50% of biodiversity loss and around 30% of carbon emissions. These impacts are mostly from the farming of animals and the use of machinery in farms.
How schools find, buy and manage school meals is a big opportunity to address climate change.
Making school food more sustainable is good for the environment. It can also save schools money, reduce food waste and support your students to eat healthier food. Key actions schools can take are set out below.
Introducing sustainability standards in food procurement
Such as:
- introducing a meat-free day every week, using ‘plant-powered’ meals
- substituting some meat with other proteins like lentils. This also has financial and nutritional benefits
- using more locally grown produce, seeking out local suppliers
- minimising food packaging and choosing more sustainable options with less plastic
- introducing higher welfare meat. For example ‘Red Tractor’ certified
- offering seasonal menus
Promote healthy and sustainable diets
Such as:
- encouraging children to eat more vegetables and fruit. This should include two portions per meal
Provide greener energy sources for kitchens
Such as
- moving to renewable energy sources for cooking and preparing food
Tailor school meals for students and staff
Such as:
- remove or improve any meals which are not popular with staff and students
Connecting with others
Such as:
- connecting with local community growing groups
Schools can contact the council for support on sustainable school food by emailing the council.