More than three quarters of schools across Wales have taken action to improve their environment this academic year through Eco-Schools and our other environmental education programmes.
During the 2025/26 academic year, 76% of Wales’ 1,534 schools engaged with Eco-Schools or other Keep Wales Tidy education initiatives, showing the growing commitment of schools, teachers and learners to creating a more sustainable future.
Over the past year, our Education Team supported 503 teachers through training events and one-to-one sessions, helping schools develop environmental projects and embed sustainability across the curriculum. We also delivered virtual workshops to 703 classes, inspiring thousands of young people to explore environmental issues and take positive action in their schools and communities.
Schools across Wales celebrated significant success through Eco-Schools, achieving 361 Eco-Schools Awards during the year. More than half of schools in Wales now proudly hold an Eco-Schools Green Flag – the internationally recognised award celebrating excellence in environmental education and sustainable action.
It's incredibly encouraging to see so many schools across Wales putting environmental action at the heart of school life. Young people are passionate about the future of our planet, and programmes like Eco-Schools give them the opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful action.
Whether it's improving biodiversity, reducing waste, tackling litter or addressing climate change, learners are showing that they can be powerful agents of change in their schools and communities. By supporting teachers and empowering young people, we're helping to build a generation with the confidence and skills to care for Wales' environment for years to come.
Owen Derbyshire Chief Executive
One school celebrating an exceptional year is Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes, which won both the Revive Our Oceans and Fix Our Climate categories at this year’s Climate Challenge Cymru Awards in Cardiff. The school also achieved its first Eco-Schools Platinum Award, recognising its long-term commitment to pupil-led environmental action and sustainability.
We are delighted with these achievements. It is wonderful to see how the small differences made by every child, every class, and every member of staff come together to create such a significant impact.
Our young people are our future, and it is clear that the future is in very safe hands.
These awards, along with achieving Eco-Schools Platinum Status, reflect the enthusiasm, commitment, and determination our pupils show every day. We are incredibly proud of them all.
Rebecca Nia Griffiths Air Squad Leader at Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes
I can't believe we've won two categories in the Earthshot Climate Challenge Wales! We are all so happy and so proud.
Everyone at our school has worked hard because we've learned that we only have one Earth, and we have to look after it.
We are the future, and if everyone does their bit, we can make a big difference.
Harriet Year 6 learner
Eco-Schools is an international education programme that we deliver in Wales with funding from the Welsh Government. The programme empowers young people to lead environmental action in their schools while developing the knowledge, confidence and skills to create positive change.
This year’s achievements highlight the continued growth of environmental education across Wales, with thousands of young people taking practical action to protect and improve their local environment.
Could your school be next? Find out more about Eco-Schools and how to get involved: Eco-Schools Wales
