Announced by the Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi on 21 April, the Department for Education has launched a new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy that includes plans to increase learning on green skills and careers for young people, with the introduction of a new Natural History GCSE. With the introduction of at least one sustainability lead in nurseries, schools, colleges and universities in England, students will be supported to develop climate action plans and will learn about the effects of climate change and resilience methods.
Action area two of the strategy focusses on green skills and careers, with plans to inspire more young people to choose a career that will support the UK’s transition to net zero, restore biodiversity, and provide a sustainable future, all of which working with trees do.
Following the launch of our position paper in 2021, the Institute continues to be the sector’s leading voice on the skills crisis in forestry and arboriculture. We were also heavily involved in the first new degree-level forestry apprenticeship in England. We welcome this new strategy and will explore how we can get involved in influencing the curriculum content to reflect the importance of trees for climate action.
Read the new strategy
