Climate Ambassador Scheme

In April 2022, the University of Reading launched the Climate Ambassadors Scheme in collaboration with STEM Learning and with support from UKRI.

The scheme was expanded nationwide in March 2024, backed by £2m of funding from the Department for Education. The University of Reading and EAUC (the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education) are leading a consortium of partners to expand the scheme, so that every education setting in England can gain free access to expert support to become greener and more climate resilient.

What is the Climate Ambassadors Scheme?

The Climate Ambassadors scheme connects volunteer climate and sustainability experts with education settings in England – nurseries, primary and secondary schools, and Further Education colleges. Climate Ambassadors provide free support and guidance to help education settings develop and deliver impactful climate action plans – covering decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity and climate education and green careers.

The scheme has been developed in response to Action 8 in the National Climate Education Action Plan. It has been adopted as a core part of the UK government Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, published in April 2022, with a vision to make the UK’s education sector world-leading on this issue by 2030.

Benefits for teachers and school leaders

Climate Ambassadors provide free guidance that is tailored to the needs of your education setting. They can assist in a number of ways, for example:

provide support and advice for your setting to make strategic and practical change
inspire your learners, staff and wider network to act, focussing on why action on sustainability and climate change matters for you, your community and the world
build knowledge of our connected environmental challenges and what can be done to tackle them
provide the expertise to help you build a credible climate action plan that will break down barriers to action
help you to navigate the support available to you to help deliver your climate action plan.

To find out more and request a Climate Ambassador for your school or college, visit the STEM Learning website.

Becoming a Climate Ambassador

We are looking for Climate Ambassadors from a broad range of jobs and backgrounds to help deliver meaningful change on sustainability and climate change within the education system.

You don’t need to be an expert in all topics covered by climate action plans – you can focus your time working on things that align with your experience. We will provide you with training and development to help you make the most of your skills.

There will be opportunities for you to work with the leaders, staff, young people and governors within your paired educational setting and we hope you will develop a long-term relationship so that you can see the impact of your work with them over time.

To find out more and sign up to becoming a Climate Ambassador, visit the STEM Learning website.

Laura Tobin

Laura Tobin, Broadcast Meteorologist and University of Reading alumna, is the Climate Ambassador Scheme Champion, passionate about empowering everyone – especially young people – to tackle the challenges of our changing climate and bring about the positive change they want to see in our world.

We're green in all sorts of ways

4th in the People & Planet University League 2024/25

The Times and Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2025, Sustainable University of the Year

Queen's Anniversary Prize for climate research and action

Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Leadership, London Higher Award 2024

Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership