The Spring Statement: What it Means for Climate Education

Today, the government announced its Spring Statement, setting out its economic priorities for the coming year and providing updates on the government’s economic objectives. With education funding under pressure and climate action still an urgent necessity, we had hoped to see increased investment in climate education and the decarbonisation of school buildings. However, the budget falls short of delivering the comprehensive support needed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for a sustainable future.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the Spring Statement that the £6.7 billion capital investment for the Department for Education, announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget, remains in place. This includes £1.4 billion dedicated to the school rebuilding programme, aiming to rebuild over 500 schools in critical condition. While these investments address structural improvements, there was no specific commitment to decarbonisation or funding climate education initiatives within schools.

While major cuts to education funding were avoided, the budget still fails to provide the investment needed to integrate climate education into the curriculum. Despite growing calls from students, teachers and climate organisations for climate education to be a priority – see the Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report – this budget offers little assurance that it will be adequately supported. Without dedicated investment, schools will continue to lack the resources needed to integrate sustainability into the curriculum effectively.

Even without any major cuts, schools struggling with budget constraints may still find it difficult to allocate resources for teacher training, sustainability-focused learning materials, or eco-friendly infrastructure improvements. Additionally, without a clear commitment to decarbonising school buildings, students will continue to learn in environments that are not aligned with the UK’s net-zero goals. It’s positive to see investment in construction training, given how many buildings – including schools – need urgent retrofitting. However, we must also ensure that this education equips construction workers with the skills to deliver zero-carbon construction

This budget should have recognised the role of education in preparing the next generation to tackle the climate crisis. Instead, it leaves significant gaps that must be addressed in future spending decisions.

We call on the government to:

• Protect and expand funding for climate education initiatives, ensuring every student receives comprehensive sustainability education across the curriculum.
• Provide targeted funding for teacher training in climate literacy, so educators are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to teach these vital topics.
• Align school rebuilding projects with net-zero goals, ensuring that students learn in buildings that reflect the future they are preparing for. 

‍If the government is serious about achieving net zero by 2050, it must prioritise climate education now. Climate education is not an optional extra – it is essential for equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate and address the climate crisis. Without urgent investment, we are failing the generation that will inherit its consequences.

Want to help spread the word? Share our Instagram post on the budget and help us push for real action on climate education.

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