First Minister announces funding at award winning
Eco-School.
First Minister has announced new funding to
support groups and schools across Scotland to learn more about
climate change and nature loss, and take climate action where
they can.
The Scottish Government supports the Eco-Schools programme to
help embed climate environmental and outdoor learning as a
meaningful part of daily learning and teaching. The
programme is set to benefit from £425,000 funding in 2025-26.
The Government is also investing a further £275,000 in the
Climate Engagement Fund to support grassroots organisations to
champion their own local initiatives and build understanding of
climate change – such as workshops, podcasts and festivals.
First Minister announced the funding ahead of
a visit to the Royal School of Dunkeld to mark the celebration of
their 11th consistent Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. He
said:
“Children and young people have been leading the charge for
urgent action to address climate change and nature loss. That is
right, since they will be the ones who will face the greatest
impacts of climate change over their lifetimes.
“However, the responsibility to become climate resilient and
reduce emissions cannot just be up to the next generation. This
Government has committed to Scotland reaching net-zero by 2045 -
five years ahead of the rest of the UK – and we are introducing
bold measures, like ending peak rail fares for good, to reduce
our emissions. I am proud that we are also pushing forward with
embedding climate education in our schools.
“The Scottish Government has supported the Eco-Schools Scotland
programme for over two decades, and pupils and teachers at the
Royal School of Dunkeld have collectively achieved a remarkable
feat. Over 800 schools in Scotland now have a Green Flag and I
hope that others will be inspired to follow suit.
“It is vital that everyone in our society understands the
positive opportunities of climate action, and how that can
improve their own lives. The Climate Engagement Fund will help to
increase awareness and empower people of all ages to take action
in their local communities in the best way they can.”
CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful Barry Fisher commented:
“We are delighted to once again to receive funding from the
Scottish Government to support our Climate Action Schools
Programme, ensuring that our fantastic work with local
authorities, schools, educators, and children and young people
across Scotland grows and develops further, and helps to deliver
our national ambitions on Target 2030 and public engagement on
climate change.
“This year we mark 30 years of environmental education in schools
through the international Eco-Schools Programme and we've been
visiting schools across the country to celebrate their
participation and success in its activities over the years,
highlighting just how important the framework has been, and will
continue to be, for Scotland's young people.”
Background
Eco-schools is an international programme that gives pupils the
opportunity to tackle issues like climate change and to consider
environmental changes that they can make in their school to make
it more sustainable. In Scotland, Eco-Schools is delivered by
Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of the Climate Action Schools
framework. Eco-Schools was launched in the UK, Denmark and
Germany in 1994 with Scotland awarding the first Green Flag in
1995.
Keep Scotland Beautiful -
Climate Action Schools
Climate Engagement Fund -
gov.scot
