Why Multi-Academy Trusts must lead on Climate Action

The DfE’s sustainability and climate change strategy requires school level climate action. For Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), this is a challenge and an opportunity.

What is a Climate Action Plan (CAP)?

A Climate Action Plan outlines how an organisation will reduce its environmental impact. For MATs, this means coordinating efforts across all schools in the trust, focusing on four key areas:

Decarbonisation: Improving energy efficiency and investing in renewable technologies.
Adaptation and resilience: Preparing for climate-related risks like flooding and overheating.
Biodiversity: Enhancing green spaces and ecosystems across school estates.
Climate education and green careers: Embedding sustainability into the curriculum and career pathways.

These pillars go beyond policy — they’re a chance to future-proof your trust and empower the next generation.

Why MATs are uniquely positioned for climate action

MATs often have centralised leadership and large estates. This makes them ideal candidates for impactful climate action. Benefits include:

Economies of scale in energy procurement and infrastructure upgrades.
Standardised sustainability practices across schools.
Data-driven decision-making using shared platforms and reporting tools.

United Learning, one of the UK’s largest MATs, have appointed “Carbon Neutral Champions.” Their group-wide energy policy is set to save them money and reduce emissions.

How Energise supports climate action planning

At Energise, we help MATs turn climate ambition into measurable action. Our support includes:

Appointing a Sustainability Lead: We help identify and train champions across your trust.
Conducting school energy audits: Detailed assessments highlight opportunities for decarbonisation and cost savings.
Engaging your community: Workshops and tools to involve students, staff, governors, and parents.
Setting targets and tracking progress: Dashboards to monitor your footprint and net zero progress.
Accessing funding: Guidance on schemes like the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Benefits beyond compliance

Implementing a Climate Action Plan offers tangible advantages:

Lower energy bills and operational costs.
Improved learning environments.
Enhanced reputation as a sustainable trust.
Opportunities for students to explore green careers.

With 2025 coming to a close, MATs must move from intention to implementation. Whether you’re just starting or refining an existing plan, now is the time to act.

Is your trust ready to meet climate action requirements? Energise can help you build a compliant, impactful strategy tailored to your schools. Get in touch today to book a free consultation.