Colleagues share Climate Ambassador stories

Two colleagues who have signed up to the Climate Ambassador Scheme co-led by Reading say helping develop climate change lessons in their children’s schools has been hugely rewarding.

Dr Natalie Harvey, a weather scientist in the University’s Department of Meteorology, and Professor Etienne Roesch in Psychology, have both signed up as a Climate Ambassadors since the scheme was originally launched in 2022.

The scheme matches people with sustainability knowledge – not just climate science – with nurseries, schools and colleges to help them reduce their carbon emissions, become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, and make climate and the natural environment more prominent in classrooms. It is co-led by EAUC, in association with STEM Learning, and is the Department for Education’s national climate education programme.

This week, the Secretary of State for Education announced a £2m expansion of the Climate Ambassadors Scheme and an ambition to recruit 1,000 Ambassadors across England to benefit 2,500 education settings within the next two years.

‘Rewarding experience’

Natalie has been helping Berkshire schools to achieve their sustainability goals since signing up as an Ambassador two years ago.

She has led climate education sessions at her children’s school and, together with Reading colleagues, has contributed to workshops with Berkshire schools to help them become more sustainable and to bring climate into the classroom.

Natalie said: “Becoming a climate ambassador has been an extremely rewarding experience for me personally. Both pupils and teachers have been so eager to learn more about how we can protect our planet. When we go to these schools and nurseries it really feels like everyone is coming together to tackle climate change as one.” 

‘Hugely proud’

Etienne has been engaged with his son’s school, through a primary teacher there who created a climate action plan.

Etienne has been able to provide his support as someone who is interested in the environment, has expertise in data and statistics and has absorbed some climate knowledge from working at Reading.

Etienne said: “I was not an Ambassador when I started supporting the school, but I contacted the scheme and signed up.

“I am very much looking forward to networking with other such minded academics, and hugely proud this came from Reading. I am also looking forward to the training and material I can use to help other schools.”

Sign up to be a Climate Ambassador.

How it works for a Climate Ambassador  

Once you sign up to become a Climate Ambassador you will:

1. Receive a DBS check and training for working in the education sector.
2. Be offered comprehensive and flexible training, alongside the chance to be part of an active regional Climate Ambassador network.
3. Get matched with settings based on your interests, expertise and background, and get support from your Climate Ambassadors regional hub to ensure you’re confident and equipped to contribute meaningfully.  

 Education settings can then request your support to:

• Get started creating and progressing their climate action plan, providing help to inspire action and the advice to initiate a climate action plan  
• Identify ways to decarbonise operations, saving money and reducing harmful emissions that contribute to climate change  
• Plan and adapt to the impacts of climate change, like overheating or flooding, to minimise risk of disruption to learning  
• Increase biodiversity across the estate and improve access to green space for learners and staff  
• Provide advice on how to weave climate education and green careers inspiration across teaching and learning activities and upskill staff to build their confidence in teaching about climate and sustainability  

Find out more about being an Ambassador on the Climate Ambassadors website.