Lead by Example for Transformational Change

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is leading by example for transformational change. Its Board of Education adopted a resolution on March 1, 2021, committing PGCPS to zero-emission buildings, electricity, and transportation; and zero waste entering the landfill. The resolution established a Focus Workgroup to develop a first-in-the-nation Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP).

The Focus Workgroup met for over a year and developed the comprehensive CCAP with eight-priority recommendations and 58 actions that addressed climate mitigation, adaptation, and education in PGCPS. The Board of Education adopted the CCAP on April 28, 2022. Since its adoption, PGCPS staff have moved forward with implementation quite quickly, engaging in on-going monthly staff check-ins to ensure continuous progress. Additionally, in January 2024, the Prince George’s Board of Education created the Climate Change Action Plan Ad-hoc Workgroup to monitor progress and help the staff overcome challenges.

 The PGCPS model was a major step forward in holistic climate action plan development. One major aspect of the approach is that the development of this plan was led by staff, students, educators, and community members rather than the more typical consultant-led process demonstrated in other climate action planning. This led to cost savings, increased buy-in from the participants, most specifically the PGCPS staff, and educational opportunities for student leaders. The process was well documented to allow for others to learn from and replicate the process. Documentation is available at: https://www.pgcps.org/about-pgcps/climate-change-action-plan. National groups, such as Generation 180 have also cited the work done at PGCPS as an excellent model for replication: https://generation180.org/blog/many-voices-unite-to-create-the-first-school-district-climate-action-plan-in-maryland/  

Leading and operationalizing its transformational commitment, in the Fall of 2023, PGCPS established a new Department of Sustainability and Resilience (DSR) to oversee the implementation of the CCAP and drive sustainability ethics in the school district. DSR collaborates with the Board of Education, members of the eight priority workgroups, and many interdisciplinary stakeholders representing Federal, Regional, State, local, and community partners throughout the implementation process.