Teach the Future, a UK wide campaign led by secondary and tertiary education students to improve education on the climate emergency and ecological crisis, convened a cross-sector panel discussion on how Schools are leading the Net Zero transition in Scotland at a fringe event at the Scottish National Party conference on 13th October 2025 in Aberdeen. We were delighted to be invited to be part of this vital debate.

About the Panel

Panellists Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian; Jonathan Hines, Managing Director, Architype; Andy Harvey, National Officer for Education, Educational Institute of Scotland; and Cecilia Mañosa Nyblon, Development Manager, Learning for Sustainability Scotland, were invited to discuss how to harness the Curriculum Improvement Cycle to embed interdisciplinary learning for sustainability, how to decarbonise schools to achieve net zero goals, and how to elevate youth voices when shaping education and climate policies. The session was chaired by Charlotte Wilson, Campaign Organiser, Teach the Future.

Embedding Learning for Sustainability – successes and challenges…

Since 2012, Learning for Sustainability Scotland has worked with government, educators, and learners to embed learning for sustainability as a priority across Scottish education. It is now an entitlement for all 793,000 learners aged 3–18 and key to the GTCS Professional Standards for Scotland’s 58,000 teachers; as well as being aligned with UNESCO’s ESD for 2030 and the SDGs.

With the education system currently undergoing reform: through the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and the newly passed Education Act, which introduces a new inspectorate and qualifications body, this is a critical moment for action to deliver Scotland’s learning for sustainability action plan “Target 2030: A movement for people, planet and prosperity “ so that every 3-18 place of education becomes a Sustainable Learning Setting by 2030.

However, evidence highlights ongoing challenges in effectively implementing and delivering a whole-setting approach to learning for sustainability so that all learners ages 3-18 receive this entitlement. The upcoming Scottish Parliament election offers a key opportunity to turn this ambition into action, providing the resources needed to strengthen this provision so that every learner can experience learning for sustainability in their education to prepare them to thrive in an increasingly challenging world, and be part of a sustainable, just and equitable future. This opportunity must not be overlooked.

Continuing the collaboration…

We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Teach the Future to progress their vital work to support Scotland’s young people as they call for their education system to better equip them to tackle the climate and nature crises.

Click here to find out more about Teach the Future’s Four Asks Campaign for the Scottish Government, which have been submitted to Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

Image credit: Teach the Future Scotland