EDUCATION Secretary Nadhim Zahawi was urged yesterday to take action to ensure that measures to tackle climate change become fully embedded in the school system.

Unions NASUWT, National Education Union (NEU), UCU and Unison called on Britain, as host of Cop26, to “lead by example and bring about the changes needed for a more sustainable future.”

In their letter, the four unions say that the dire impact of climate change requires an emergency response — including from the education sector as young people have the most to lose from the “current lack of direction.”

They say there is concern the government has yet to grasp the gravity of the situation and are calling for important measures to be embedded in the education system.

The measures include a comprehensive review of the curriculum, a plan to decarbonise the entire education estate by 2030 and a detailed policy on green travel for students, staff and parents.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “Education has a critical contribution to make in educating for climate justice and helping to secure a more sustainable world for future generations.

“The UK government needs to step up to ensure teachers have the resources and tools to provide access to curriculum entitlements that give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their understanding of environmental issues and to be responsible citizens.

“We also need to see much more action from the government to deliver substantial improvements to the energy efficiency of existing school buildings which have suffered from significant underinvestment over decades.”

NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “It is the next generation that will bear the brunt of any inaction on climate change.

“We all need to play a part in ensuring a sustainable future for our young people.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady criticised the government for not taking urgent action on the climate emergency.

And Unison assistant general secretary Jon Richards said that climate action “has to be built into every part of our lives, and that includes education.”

He said that it was vital young people learn about a greener tomorrow and that the government must ensure schools are able to practise what they teach.