This project offers a systematic approach to introduce the topic of climate change and climate adaptation in European schools by implementing a climate-friendly management system based on the Deming circle (Plan-Do-Check-Act). The CLIMES management system was developed in a project funded by the European Commission and piloted in six European schools. It encourages the whole school community to behave in a climate-friendly way, i.e. to mitigate damages for the climate, and to adapt to the expected changes in climate.

Besides a general increase of awareness related to aspects of climate change the objectives of the CLIMES management system are:

• Students learn and act in a real context with real data and real consequences. They are involved in practical development processes with corresponding effects on learning motivation and learning efficiency.
• Students acquire competences in acting climate-friendly and in applying professional management systems and instruments.
• The institution school is organised in a way that it acts climate friendly and adapts to climate change not only ad hoc but permanently. Its “climate footprint” will be reduced and measures to adapt to climate change will be taken.

The core elements of the CLIMES management approach are components of the Deming circle (plan-do-check-act) added by a definition of basic responsibilities and a basic level of internal and external communication.

In the “check” phase, schools identify those operations that influence climate change significantly (energy use, traffic induced by school, school meals, water use, waste disposal). Schools/students have to calculate their carbon footprint regularly on the basis of the collected data by using a well defined carbon footprint calculator.

The “plan” phase is based on the results of the “check” phase. Activities have to be planned to reduce the carbon footprint (mitigation measures) or to adapt to the climate change (adaption measures). This means to define the climate relevant objectives and targets for the school to be reached within a specified period and to specify a climate change programme with activities, responsibilities as well as necessary resources.

In the “do” phase these activities are implemented accordingly. The climate change group has to check regularly on their effectiveness and efficiency and, if need be, redefine them.

In addition, the school has to assure that sufficient manpower with defined roles and responsibilities is available for implementing and maintaining the CLIMES management system. An elementary communication related to climate change issues serves to inform the school manager, the complete school community as well as the interested public about the actual climate influence of the school and to promote climate friendly behaviour.

A step-by-step guide for implementing the CLIMES management system can be found on the CLIMES platform http://moodle.climes.eu/. It contains core elements that a school should implement and supportive elements that are optional. The platform and materials are in English. To register for the platform please contact Sabine Wiemann, swiemann@bupnet.de

In the file(s) to download you can find an experience report on how to implement CLIMES in a successful, effective and sustainable way? It is a collection of lessons learnt and best practices derived from the piloting of the CLIMES project and presents clear acting recommendations in implementing the CLIMES management system.

Sabine Wiemann: swiemann@bupnet.de