The clock is ticking toward the Department for Education’s 2025 deadline for every school in England to have a Climate Action Plan (CAP). Yet, a national survey and research of Multi Academy Trust (MAT) leaders reveals that most are still finding their way.
While sustainability has become a strategic priority, turning ambition into consistent, measurable action remains a challenge.
According to the survey, time, confidence and expertise are the three biggest barriers.
- More than 70 per cent of MATs said they need clearer direction and hands-on support to develop and monitor their Climate Action Plans effectively.
- A further 76 per cent said that expert advice is as valuable as the technology that underpins it.
- The message is clear: schools do not just need tools – they need trusted partners.
Where MATs Need the Most Help
The research shows that sustainability leads within MATs are under significant pressure. Competing operational priorities, limited staff capacity and inconsistent data collection are slowing progress. Many schools are eager to act but lack a clear framework for aligning their efforts with the four pillars of the DfE’s sustainability strategy: decarbonisation, biodiversity, adaptation and resilience, and climate education and green skills.
For MAT leaders managing multiple sites and priorities, expert guidance can be the difference between falling behind and leading the sector forward.
The Blue Marble Approach: Advice First, Technology Second
Recognising these challenges, Blue Marble has developed a model built on collaboration, expert support and practical delivery. Its digital Climate Action Planning and Management (CAMP) tool serves as an enabler, designed to bring structure and visibility to every stage of a trust’s sustainability journey.
At the heart of Blue Marble’s approach is a belief that genuine progress is achieved when schools are supported to make informed and financially sustainable decisions. Its education specialists work closely with MAT leaders to co-develop sustainability strategies, interpret data with clarity and embed practical actions that suit each trust’s individual context.
A key element of this partnership involves helping trusts identify and prioritise cost-saving interventions and projects that complement their Climate Action Plans. These may include energy efficiency upgrades, waste reduction initiatives or renewable energy installations, each assessed for both environmental impact and return on investment.
Blue Marble supports MATs in evaluating these opportunities, advising on best practice and ensuring that results are properly reported and integrated within each plan.
Every trust using the CAMP tool receives fully supported onboarding for all schools, strategic consultancy to refine Climate Action Plans, and continuous advice to align activities with DfE expectations and funding opportunities. This balance of expert insight and digital practicality enables MATs to turn complex sustainability objectives into achievable, measurable and financially responsible outcomes.
Success in Practice: Plymouth CAST
Plymouth CAST, a trust of 36 schools across the South West, is already seeing the results of this approach.
“We chose to work with Blue Marble because their CAMP tool gives each of our schools the structure to develop Climate Action Plans consistently, while giving the Trust clear oversight. Their partnership with the Department for Education on the national Sustainability Support for Education service gave us real confidence in their credibility and impact. Blue Marble combine expertise with practical solutions that help us live out our mission of stewardship and care for creation.”
This testimonial reflects a growing movement among trusts that are combining professional advice with structured planning to make faster and more confident progress towards the DfE’s 2025 goal.
Guiding the Sector Forward
Blue Marble’s involvement in the DfE’s Sustainability Support for Education Service ensures that MATs can meet national expectations with confidence. Beyond compliance, its consultancy delivers measurable value by helping trusts turn plans into action and identify financial efficiencies that strengthen both sustainability outcomes and operational budgets.
The Blue Marble team also advises and represents trusts during the delivery of these interventions, ensuring that each project is planned, implemented and reported according to best practice.
The result is a model that connects environmental responsibility with fiscal prudence, helping schools to future-proof their estates.
As one survey respondent put it, “We need more than a platform – we need a partner who can show us how to make it real.”
That is exactly what Blue Marble provides: clarity, confidence and capability for schools seeking to take meaningful climate action rather than simply writing plans.
A Trusted Partner for MATs
With less than a year to the DfE deadline, the MATs making the most progress are those working collaboratively with experienced partners. Blue Marble’s CAMP tool provides structure, while its consultancy offers the insight and practical support required to move from planning to delivery.
For trusts looking to bridge the gap between ambition, affordability and achievement, the path is clear:
Partner with Blue Marble – Plan with confidence – Deliver with purpose.
Blue Marble currently offering free onboarding and initial consultancy for trusts who engage before the Christmas this year to help meet the DFE expectations and deadline.
Book a 1:1 session with a consultant here to discover how Blue Marble can guide your trust towards measurable, lasting climate success.
