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We have a special guest blog this month from Kate Whitehead. Kate works for Natural England with a remit of Connecting Children with Nature. Her role includes facilitating join up between environmental, education and health sectors, collating research and best practice to support policies that enable schools to unlock the multitude of benefits nature can offer for children’s learning, development and wellbeing. Engagement with nature offers a multitude of benefits for children, supporting learning, wellbeing, health, and social development. School grounds have the potential to be far more than maintained outdoor spaces, when well-managed they can provide nature-rich environments that support wildlife, climate resilience, pupils, and local communities for years to come. This potential is increasingly recognised across the education sector, and many schools are already creating new habitats and making environmental improvements to their sites. But habitat creation is only the first step. At Natural England we kept hearing stories of tree saplings being mown or wildflower meadows failing to establish because their long‑term management needs were not fully understood. In response, Natural England has been working with the Department for Education to support schools to increase the biodiversity of the school estate, including through the development of a new training course: Managing School Grounds for Biodiversity The challenge for many schools is knowing how to move from conventional grounds maintenance to nature‑positive management, while still meeting safety, access, and operational requirements. This course has been developed to address exactly that gap. Whilst designed for school grounds keepers and estate managers, its relevance reaches well beyond the school gate, as the principles and practices it covers apply equally to anyone managing public spaces, from hospital grounds and community gardens to parks and open spaces. It is free to access, requires only an email address to enrol, and takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to complete. The course draws on guidance originally developed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre Ireland, carefully adapted for an English audience in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, the Royal Horticultural Society, and many more organisations from across the sector. Sensory garden at Geashill National School (Copyright National Biodiversity Data Centre) It collates best practice on habitat creation, climate adaptation, planting for pollinators, and growing food, giving school grounds managers a comprehensive, authoritative resource they can put to use straight away. During its development we consulted with industry as well as the environment sector and were delighted with this feedback from a Grounds Advisor at Norse Group: “Such a positive course that successfully engages both education and industry. It’s lovely to focus on working together to enhance the environment and improve sustainability for all. The included links are such a useful addition as is the downloadable PDF on completion.” Leave playing pitches unmown over the summer to let wildflowers grow (Copyright: Juanita Browne) Supporting implementation of the DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy calls on schools to improve biodiversity on education estates, with their recently published Education Estates Strategy including commitments to improve school sustainability, prepare schools and school grounds for climate change and to increase access to nature. Schools across the country are taking steps to improve the biodiversity on their sites with a third of all the schools already having signed up to the National Education Nature Park. While the creation of new habitats is a vital step, ensuring their long-term success depends on informed, ongoing management. School grounds keepers, estate teams and contractors need the skills and confidence to look after these spaces and this course is designed to provide exactly that support. Please do share this course with networks, stakeholders, schools, teachers, and anyone else that may have interest! Contribute to the CSCEN Blog If you're interested in contributing to the CSCEN Blog, get in touch with us at environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk. We'd love to hear your ideas!

We have a special guest blog this month from Livvy Rowe. Livvy is a Mental Health Strategy Lead in the Department of Health and Social Care. Livvy and her team are responsible for supporting the development of the new Mental Health Strategy for England, and lead cross-government engagement on the structural determinants of mental health. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Climate change and mental health can reinforce a vicious cycle- but there is a powerful opportunity to turn this into a virtuous one Mental health is a state of wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. As well as having intrinsic value to us as individuals, good mental health cuts across every government mission- whether its supporting participation in school and work, driving economic growth, or even enabling climate action. The state of the nation’s mental health The mental health of the population has been worsening over recent decades. According to an ongoing independent review, commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care, the prevalence of anxiety and depression in England has risen from around 15-16% in the early 1990s to around 23% in the mid 2020s, with the most acute rises observed among young people. Young people are also experiencing higher levels of loneliness, loss of confidence and more functional impairment i.e. their mental health difficulties have become more disruptive to their everyday lives. Climate change is negatively impacting mental health Climate change is a risk multiplier which is further harming population mental health in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently published an assessment of climate impacts on mental health in the UK, which found: · Climate change is directly impacting mental health and wellbeing; · Climate change is impacting the social and economic determinants of mental health and wellbeing; · Impacts are not distributed evenly, with children and young people, some occupational groups, and those with pre-existing difficulties at heightened risk. It’s perhaps unsurprising that people in England who experienced flood water in their homes were more likely to report high levels of post traumatic stress disorder compared to those whose houses were not flooded. But even a 1°C increase above ambient temperature was associated with a 0.9% increase in mental health-related morbidity. UKHSA’s report also found evidence linking extreme heat to suicide. Flooding has impacts on mental health and is becoming more frequent. Credit: Chris Gallagher-Unsplash As well as these direct impacts, we know awareness of climate change can itself be a cause of extreme worry and distress. A global survey of 10,000 young people found 84% were at least moderately worried and 59% were extremely worried about climate change. Furthermore, over half of child and adolescent psychiatrists in England are seeing children and young people who are distressed about the climate crisis or the state of the environment. But this is not the whole story. Nature and climate action have huge benefits for mental health Nature is very protective for our mental health. In fact, just a 10% increase in access to green and blue spaces, such as parks, gardens and ponds, has been associated with a 7% reduction in the odds of developing a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. This is even after adjusting for social and economic factors. Having access to more green spaces can have positive impacts on mental health. Credit: Hilal KH-Unsplash Supporting people with mental health needs to access nature-based activities has been found to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes and generate a return on investment of £2.42 for every £1 invested. Furthermore, net zero interventions have also been linked to improve mental health outcomes. For example, a randomised controlled trial of thermal home upgrades for older adults in Australia, reducing exposure to cold conditions over the winter, was found to significantly improve mental health. The National Institute for Health Research is now investigating a wide range of co-benefits for mental health associated with climate action. This includes expanding urban green spaces, improving public transport, supporting active travel like walking or cycling, and increasing the energy efficiency of homes. Mental health can be a driver of climate action What is really interesting about the links between mental health and the environment, however, is the emerging theory of a virtuous cycle between mental health and climate action. Better mental health gives people more agency, ability to engage with others and have purpose in their lives. These factors are essential in supporting collective climate action and the resilience of communities and individuals to climate shocks. The new cross-government mental health strategy, to be published later this year, aims to get to the heart of what people need to stay well, and to meaningfully participate in their schools, workplaces and communities. We know that supporting good mental health cannot just be a responsibility for the health system because so many of the levers to influence mental health sit well beyond the NHS. Evidence-based guidance for building positive mental health includes the Act Belong Commit framework, often summarised as do something, do something with someone, and do something meaningful. Fostering individual climate action - where people are active, connected to others, and motivated by purpose - is at its core, also a mental health intervention. An innovative project is now underway in London to connect climate action with mental wellbeing, helping communities to create local climate solutions whilst also improving their mental health. The project will take place over 3 years and will generate useful insights on how we might build stronger, more resilient communities for people and planet. For now, my challenge to this network is: How can we design our work to support both better mental health and climate action? (Please comment below or email environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk with your thoughts) If you are interested in finding out more information, please reach out to Livvy: Olivia.Rowe@dhsc.gov.uk. Contribute to the CSCEN Blog If you're interested in contributing to the CSCEN Blog, get in touch with us at environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk. We'd love to hear your ideas!

Research from Oxfam found that, in 2019, the richest 1% of the world’s population produced as much pollution as the poorest two‑thirds combined. In this blog, Finn Shillitto and Sophie Oakes delve in to the consequences of this and what we can do as a society. Rising sea levels can have big impacts anywhere Why do those least responsible bear the biggest impact? Developed Nations account for the majority of historical emissions. A 2023 analysis from Carbon Brief found that humans have emitted around 2,558 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide since 1850. By 2023, this meant that more than 92% of the carbon budget for the 1.5°C target had already been used. However, these emissions are unevenly distributed, with developed countries and the wealthiest populations producing far higher levels. According to the analysis, USA are “top” of the list when considering domestic emissions and have the largest share of historical emissions; with 20% of the global total. China is the 2nd largest emitter with 12% and the UK in 8th with 3% of total emissions. Yet despite this, it is those countries that have contributed the least, such as low-income countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), who bear the brunt of its impacts and are the least equipped to cope or recover. One country that exemplifies this inequality is Kiribati. Despite accounting for only 0.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is at risk of becoming the first country to disappear beneath rising seas as a result of climate change. This global imbalance reflects a wider pattern in which climate change deepens existing inequalities, both between and within countries. Vulnerable communities who have historically contributed the least to climate change are disproportionately negatively impacted by it. Climate Change does not affect everyone equally (or proportionally) meaning there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), around 3.6 billion people that currently reside in low and lower-middle income countries are especially at risk from the most severe impacts of climate change, including devastating natural disasters and increasingly extreme weather conditions. Research from Béla Galgóczi and Mehtap Akgüç suggests that climate impacts fall hardest on people who already experience social, economic or political marginalisation, like those living in poverty and who are marginalised, such as women and indigenous people. Recognising this requires an intersectional approach. Intersectional Environmentalism takes this into consideration; and is developed from a term first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw (intersectional) in a 1989 paper to help explain the oppression of African-American women. Climate activist Leah Thomas adapted this and first coined the term Intersectional Environmentalism in 2020 and is defined as: “An inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalised communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimise or silence social inequality. Intersectional environmentalism advocates for justice for people and the planet” It’s crucial to focus on helping those who are hit hardest by the environmental crisis we are facing. This means giving space to those most impacted. Intersectionality allows us to see how we could include someone who holds multiple identities and how to make sure they have the resources and support they need. People from marginalised backgrounds play a vital role in protecting the environment. If we leave out the voices of those who have often been ignored, decisions won’t be complete. What can we do? If we start by helping where the problems/gaps are biggest, we can make a real difference. It’s important to consider which communities are most vulnerable to the immediate effects of climate change. We must acknowledge that some groups are already facing challenges when it comes to receiving equal protection under environmental laws. Ensuring everyone has fair access to a healthy environment should be a priority. Positive steps are already being taken: large climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), require gender impact assessments and stakeholder engagement plans as part of their funding criteria. These often include consultation with indigenous communities about the potential impacts of projects, mitigating against a one-size-fits-all solution and helping ensure that future solutions are equitable and culturally informed. This demonstrates an increasing institutional acknowledgement that effective climate action must account for marginalised identities and lived experiences, and that effective change is best taken forward with an intersectional approach/lens. For an individual just trying to live more sustainably, these may seem like overwhelming ideas, however there are smaller scale ways you can consider intersectionality in environmental work. A good starting point is to explore local environmental policies and find out how you can get involved to make a meaningful impact. You can also explore resources that promote an intersectional approach to climate action. Engaging with these platforms is a great way to support more inclusive climate conversations and action. Contribute to the CSCEN Blog If you're interested in contributing to the CSCEN Blog, get in touch with us at environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk. We'd love to hear your ideas!

Big title here Sell yourself here....... The environment? Nature? Climate change? Sustainability? Net Zero? And plenty more in between? You have come to the right place.... Big title here Sell yourself here....... The environment? Nature? Climate change? Sustainability? Net Zero? And plenty more in between? You have come to the right place.... Add a box for quick links here.... Policy Profession OpenLearn One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership more intro text here...... Get some some self-paced free training that will fit around your schedule. We have a list of some of the best resources available but if you know of any others, let us know: environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk . Jump straight to the free providers to explore yourself or keep reading to review our course recommendations. Main Body Text Here Blah.....We have a list of some of the best resources available but if you know of any others, let us know: environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk . Jump straight to the free providers to explore yourself or keep reading to review our course recommendations. Emphasize a point with a quote or add a picture here. This is a paragraph. Use this area to add any information you want to share with users. Just click "Edit Text" or double click here to change the text and make it your own. You can also adjust the paragraph's font, size and color so it fits your website’s theme. This is a great place to tell users a story about your website and let them know more about what you offer. You may want to share information about your company's background, your team, or the services you provide. Be sure to keep the tone and voice consistent throughout the site so users become familiar with your brand.

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How we use your data This notice sets out how we will use your personal data, and your rights. The purpose for which we are processing your personal data is to establish and run an online platform for members of the Civil Service Climate + Environment Network (CSCEN). CSCEN is a voluntary network of civil servants who are interested in developing their knowledge and capability in environmental policy. We will use your data to: maintain a list of members of the platform contact members with periodic email marketing, to share our events and news contact members with details about specific events, if they have registered as an event attendee Your data and who has access to it We will ask for your name, work email address, home department and your region when you sign up to CSCEN Online. Only the site owner and site admins will have access to this information, unless you share it on your CSCEN Online public profile. All information you share on your CSCEN Online profile will be visible to other members of CSCEN Online. You can read our partnerships policy to find out what information we share with external partners. We only share high-level departmental data on our membership, not personal member details. If you register for an event which we host, we may need to contact you about last minute changes to the event. If so, the site owner and site admins may use your email address to contact you via our mailbox. This is accessed by the CSCEN Committee, who are all civil servants and will not use your information for any purposes beyond this. How we verify new members We want to make sure CSCEN Online is a safe space for open and frank discussion between civil servants. We therefore verify all requests to join CSCEN Online to ensure our members are using a UK Civil Service email address. This means your email address must have a gov.uk domain or an equivalent that identifies you as an employee of a UK Civil Service organisation. When you sign up to CSCEN Online, you will receive an automated email asking you to confirm your email address. Once you have clicked to confirm your email address, we will approve your request and you will have access to, and be able to post in, the members’ sections of CSCEN Online. You will also be able to register for our events. You will receive an automated email confirming your membership. Data retention period We will keep your data for CSCEN Online and communications purposes for the duration of the network’s operations. We will not retain personal data connected to member accounts where emails have bounced, and will consider deleting ‘inactive’ accounts after one year. Legal basis for processing your data The legal basis for processing your personal data is because you consent to us doing so. Your rights You have the right to withdraw consent to the processing of your personal data at any time. You have the right to request information about how your personal data is processed, and to request a copy of that personal data. You have the right to request that any inaccuracies in your personal data are rectified without delay. You have the right to request that any incomplete personal data is completed, including by means of a supplementary statement. You have the right to request that your personal data is erased if there is no longer a justification for this data to be processed. You have the right in certain circumstances (for example, where accuracy is contested) to request that the processing of your personal data is restricted. You have the right to request a copy of any personal data you have provided, and for this to be provided in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. You have the right to complain to the supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner's Office, by calling them on 0303 123 1113 between Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. International transfers As we have chosen to host our platform on Wix (the supplier), which is a global company, the processing of your data may take place in data centres located in the United States of America, Ireland, South Korea, Taiwan and Israel. Where that is the case, it will be subject to equivalent legal protections. Wix has been audited and certified as ISO 27001 compliant. The ISO 27001 certification outlines industry best practices for managing security risks. Wix has been audited and certified as ISO 27018 compliant. The ISO 27018 certification outlines industry best practices for handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in a public cloud computing environment. You can find out more about Wix’s data protection policy here: https://support.wix.com/en/article/general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr Contact If you have any questions about how we use your data, please contact the data controller. The data controller for your personal data is the CSCEN Online site owner. The contact details for the data controller are: environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk .