The Seven Steps towards becoming an Eco-School

The Eco-Schools Seven Steps Framework is a series of carefully engineered measures to help schools maximise the success of their Eco-School ambitions. The method involves a wide diversity of individuals from the school community, with students playing a primary role in the process. 

The most important aspect for schools to remember is that every school is different, and it is therefore critical that a school fits the seven steps around its circumstances and situation, and NOT try to fit the school into the seven steps. Some key points about the individual steps are below.

STEP 1: Form an Eco-Committee

The Eco-Committee is the driving force behind the Eco-Schools process, representing the whole school community.  

The Eco-Committee…

• Is learner-led – learners are at the centre of decision-making and action. 

• Leads the framework – oversees and takes responsibility for all steps of the Eco-Schools process. 

• Keeps everyone informed – shares regular updates with the entire school community. 

• Is inclusive – may include learners, teachers, the principal, non-teaching staff, parents, board members and wider community representatives. 

The Eco-Committee meets regularly to plan environmental and social actions - creating a real space for participation and lived democracy.  

Transferable skills: Leadership | Listening | Respect | Facilitation | Empathy | Cooperation | Negotiation 

STEP 2: Carry out a Sustainability Audit

A Sustainability Audit helps the school explore what is working well and where improvement is needed - ensuring a balanced and constructive approach. 

The Sustainability Audit... 

• Investigates key issues – Learners examine environmental and social topics within the school and wider community. 

• Is guided by the 15 Themes – Uses the Eco-Schools themes to identify priorities and create a clear starting point for action. 

• Engages the whole-school – Involving as many learners as possible, working closely with the Eco-Schools Committee and the wider school community. 

• Drives the Action Plan – Translates findings into practical, creative steps that shape the school’s Action Plan. 

The audit ensures Eco-Schools is not a one-size-fits-all programme, but a flexible framework tailored to each school’s specific needs and context.  

Transferable skills: Inquiry | Independent Learning | Number Sense | Creativity | Reflection | Scientific Investigation 

STEP 3: Activate the Curriculum 

Linking Eco-Schools to the curriculum strengthens the programme’s impact and embeds it fully within school life. 

Activating the curriculum... 

• Makes sustainability part of everyday learning – Education for Sustainable Development becomes integrated into teaching, not an add-on. 

• Connects learning to action – Through the Sustainability Audit, students address knowledge gaps and build practical problem-solving and real-life skill development via project-based learning. 

• Can be integrated directly or creatively – Through specific subjects, cross-curricular links or innovative teaching approaches. 

• Builds real-world understanding – Pupils learn how environmental and social issues are addressed in real-life contexts. 

While governments set educational standards, Eco-Schools educators activate them by teaching sustainability and 21st-century skills.  

Transferable skills: STEM | Literacy | Inquiry | Systems Thinking | Reflection | Critical Thinking | Design | Collaboration 

STEP 4: Create an Action Plan  

The Action Plan is at the heart of your Eco-Schools journey. Developed from the results of the Sustainability Audit, and informed through curriculum activation, it brings the whole school together to turn plans into action. 

The Action Plan... 

• Focuses on priorities – To keep it manageable, choose  up to three priority Eco-School Themes each year. 

• Sets clear actions – Define tasks, responsible persons and realistic timelines to achieve your goals. 

• SMARTER – Ensure actions are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bond, educational and responsive. 

• Learner-led and community engaged – Students play an active role in shaping and delivering the Action Plan in collaboration with local community members and experts. 

The Action Plan embeds sustainability into everyday school practice. It transforms learning into action, builds planning and collaboration skills, and empowers students to move from awareness to agency - demonstrating that their contributions lead to real, visible change.  

Transferable skills: Critical Thinking | Planning | Creativity | Time Management | Teamwork | Reflection | Goal Setting 

STEP 5: Measure Impact

Building monitoring and evaluation processes into curriculum learning ensures that everybody can learn from the project implementation, measuring impact, discussing results, and making changes where necessary. 

Measuring impact... 

• Tracks progress – outcomes are measured against the targets set in your Action Plan. 

• Makes results visible – progress is regularly updated and shared with the whole school. 

• Uses suitable methods – tools reflect the chosen themes, targets and the age and ability of participants. 

• Builds key skills – through data collection and evaluation, learners strengthen STEM, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

• Informs next steps – evaluation supports adjustments, encourages resilience and celebrates achievements. 

Monitoring and evaluation are not only important for communicating success and maintaining motivation; they also ensure that setbacks become learning opportunities - building resilience, strengthening creativity and encouraging new strategies that lead to long-term success.  

Transferable skills: Number Sense | Design | Inquiry | Reflection | Teamwork | Photography & Video | Accuracy | Revision 

STEP 6: Inform and Involve

Creating lasting change means bringing everyone on board. Actions should extend beyond the classroom - encouraging pupils to share ideas at home, engage the wider community and incorporate local knowledge and expertise in their Eco-Schools learning. 

Informing and Involving... 

• Ensures whole-school engagement – all students and staff are involved in the Eco-Schools journey. 

• Builds community awareness – parents and the wider community are consulted and invited to participate. 

• Incorporates local and indigenous knowledge – local community members are invited to share knowledge and skills to help improve Eco-Schools projects. 

• Fosters active communication – assemblies, notice boards, newsletters, websites, performances, media outreach and community partnerships are used to share progress and celebrate achievements. 

• Celebrate together – Events reinforce motivation and collective ownership. FEE’s Global Action Days offer a ready-to-use annual opportunity for schools worldwide to take part and showcase their impact. 

Strong communication and inclusive participation transform individual actions into a visible, community-wide commitment to sustainability.  

Transferable skills: Public Speaking | Design | Leadership | Teamwork | Facilitation | Information, Communications & Technology Literacy 

STEP 7: Produce an Eco-code

The Eco-Code captures the core values of an Eco-School and expresses its commitment to sustainability. It embeds shared principles into the school’s identity, policies and everyday practice. 

An Eco-Code is... 

• A clear commitment –  represents the school’s dedication to sustainability and lasting change. 

• Co-created and inclusive – developed with active participation of pupils, staff and the wider community, strengthening ownership and responsibility. 

• Memorable and visible – it should be familiar to everyone and prominently displayed throughout the school. 

• Flexible in format – It can be a song, poem, drawing, model or other creative expression. 

• Linked to action – reflects the main objectives of the Action Plan and the school’s priority themes. 

• Regularly reviewed – updated to ensure it continues to reflect current goals and priorities. 

By co-creating the Eco-Code, schools foster belonging, pride and shared purpose; turning collective values into a living symbol of responsibility.  

Transferable skills: Communication | Design | Information, Communications & Technology Literacy | Empathy | Teamwork | Creativity | Persuasion | Critical Thinking 

The Green Flag

The Eco-Schools Green Flag  is a global standard of excellence in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The Green Flag is aligned to UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard and awarded schools are contributing to the global ambition of greening 50% of schools by 2030.  

Once your school is demonstrating strong performance across the Eco-Schools Seven-Steps (including any additional national criteria), and measurable impact in your chosen themes, you can apply for the Green Flag.  

It often takes two years or more of programme implementation to reach Green Flag standard. 

Before receiving their first Green Flag, schools must undergo an assessment visit. After the first award, alternative assessment methods may be used, although on-site visits remain recommended.  

The Eco-Schools journey does not end with the Green Flag. Eco-Schools is a continuous improvement programme: schools progressively engage with all 15 themes, regularly monitor and evaluate their impact, and adapt their actions to maintain momentum and deepen their commitment over time.