This report presents findings of a survey of 120 people across Australia who are connected to schools, and examines their beliefs, attitudes and experiences relating to the impact of the built environment on health and learning outcomes in schools. It also examines the uptake of sustainability and carbon emissions reduction programs in schools, and attitudes and behaviours toward low carbon living in the household.

Key implications and conclusions include:

• The need for targets and a systematic approach for measuring and improving performance of this sector. The Education sector would benefit from having more stringent design and building codes for schools, as well as performance benchmarks, baselines and targets set to measure and improve performance within this sector over the coming years. This will be critical in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Paris agreement.
• Targeted, cost-effective programs to help schools reduce carbon and costs.
• Innovation needed to improve the design, fit-out and operational performance of demountable buildings.
• Greater dialogue with stakeholders who utilise these spaces.
• Explore opportunities to create intergenerational change through students taking knowledge home.