Skip to main content

Our Best World

At the Early Years, Childcare and School Readiness Service, we have developed ten agreements to help us meet Cambridgeshire County Council's commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Travel

1. Think carefully about the purpose of meeting face-to-face and whether the meeting could be held via Teams/another online platform. When meeting face-to-face, consider greener travel options where possible.

2. Arrange visits to settings/schools/office buildings in a similar geographical location on the same day to reduce carbon emissions and mileage. Provide colleagues within the service access to a carshare database of people who are willing and able to carshare. Consider the use of Council Pool Cars where appropriate.

3. Consider alternative ways to distribute resources to settings/schools, e.g., using Child and Family Centres, or mobile libraries.

Training

4. Reduce printing by letting delegates know a copy of the slides will be sent after a training session. Trainers will use electronic whiteboard functions in preference to paper flipcharts. QR codes will be used for pre-reading/handouts/evaluations where possible. Delegates will be encouraged to take photos and make notes electronically.

5. Review the location of training venues. Training centres near public transportation routes should be prioritised and delegates will be encouraged to car share where possible. Training venues will be asked to reduce the use of single-use plastics, (e.g., cups/cutlery) and provide a recycling bin. Delegates will be asked to bring their own reusable water bottle and drink cups. Consider using Sunley House for more training sessions as the Council is already heating and maintaining the building.

6. Consider opportunities to promote nature protection and how to be environmentally friendly in training content and delivery.

General

7. Consider climate change when inviting external partners to collaborate with the Council by explicitly including this in the specification for any procurement, commissioning of services, or bursaries.

8. Review laptop sleep/shutdown functions to save energy when not in use.

9. Ensure we all complete 'Our Climate and Environment Emergency' e-learning and prioritise following this with 'Net Zero: Getting there and my part'.

10. Ensure ‘Net Zero’ is a standing item in team meetings, newsletters, forums, and briefings to the broader sector.

Our Best World pledge poster1.26MB–pdf
Size: 1.26MBFile format: pdf

Sustainability toolkit for early years

We are pleased to present the sustainability toolkit, developed to support schools and early years settings in delivering the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. This strategy outlines a clear ambition, "By 2025, all education settings will have nominated a sustainability lead and established a climate action plan, including early years settings, schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges, and universities."

The toolkit includes a helpful Microsoft Sway guide to support the implementation of a Sustainability Lead and climate action plan, an audit tool specifically designed for early years settings, and a template to help you create your climate action plan. These resources aim to empower educational settings to take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future.

A pallet with a wheel and buckets on it
Climate change and sustainability action plan
A wooden pallet with pots and pans
Our Best World audit tool
A wooden pallet with paint on it
Sustainability leads in schools and settings 2025

Testimonials

Samantha Ward, Little Leverets Forest School:

"Forest School is more than just spending time outside – it is a comprehensive way of learning that supports children and adults’ wellbeing, motivates educators, and cultivates a strong respect for our planet.

At its core, Forest School is all about connection, connection to nature, the world around us and each other. Through hands-on activities such as planting trees, constructing habitats, or exploring ecosystems, participants become advocates for the earth. Activities such as meditation and yoga help connect us to the earth, and in both instances, participants start to view themselves as guardians of the environment, forming habits and values that can lead to a more sustainable future.

Forest School helps establish a cycle of wellbeing. Participants thrive not just in the Forest School, but they carry forward those lessons learnt into everyday life, educators receive support, and both groups are empowered to care for the planet. It is an educational approach that nurtures both people and the earth, encouraging the next generation to live sustainably and safeguard the natural world they will inherit.

At Little Leverets, we embrace a leave no trace philosophy in our woodland, which allows nature to continue with its daily processes and regenerate its natural resources, such as nettles, when we are not around. This strategy ensures that we only make use of what is present on-site and in abundance, keeping the woodland sustainable for future generational use."

Please watch in YouTube for more accessibility options. - opens in a new tab