Climate and sustainability focused training and CPD

Training 1: Introduction to children and the climate crisis

This training provides a broad, accessible overview of what current research tells us about how the climate crisis is affecting children and young people.

The session explores:

• how climate and environmental issues are impacting children internationally and in the UK
• links between the climate crisis and children’s physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing
• wider social and educational factors that shape children’s experiences
• protective factors that can help support children and young people in school settings

This training is particularly suitable for schools who want a shared, research-informed starting point for staff before developing further work around climate, wellbeing or curriculum.

Training 2: Supporting children with eco-emotions

This workshop focuses specifically on the emotional experiences of children and young people who are thinking about, worried about, or affected by the climate crisis.

The session explores:

• common eco-emotions, including anxiety, sadness, anger, grief, guilt, frustration and hope
• how these emotional experiences present in school through behaviour, learning and relationships
• how to recognise and make sense of emotional responses linked to climate and environmental concerns
• how to support children in ways that feel emotionally supportive and ecologically conscious

This workshop is well suited to teaching staff, pastoral teams, SEN and inclusion staff, and senior leaders responsible for wellbeing and safeguarding.

Training 3: Supporting children with their climate action

This workshop recognises that many children and young people are already engaging in climate action in different ways, from making personal lifestyle changes, to leading school-based initiatives, to participating in strikes or public protest.

Rather than debating whether action should take place, this session starts from the understanding that many children feel strongly motivated to act in response to the climate crisis. It focuses on how adults can support them to do so in ways that protect their emotional wellbeing, safety and development.

The session explores:

• the range of climate actions children and young people may be involved in, from individual choices to collective activism
• the psychological meaning of action, including agency, hope, anger, solidarity and moral development
• the social and relational dimensions of climate action, including peer influence, identity and belonging
• potential emotional and practical risks, including burnout, conflict, online exposure and safeguarding concerns
• how adults can hold balanced conversations about safety and boundaries
• how parents and school staff can help children think carefully and critically about the action they wish to take

The emphasis is on helping adults feel more confident in:

• recognising the positive intentions that often sit behind children’s climate action
• supporting agency while maintaining care
• facilitating reflective, developmentally appropriate decision-making
• helping children sustain engagement without becoming overwhelmed

This workshop is particularly suited to senior leaders, pastoral teams, teaching staff and parents who are navigating questions about climate-related activism and student voice within school communities.