Green Ribbon Act of 2026

The Green Ribbon Act of 2026 seeks to significantly strengthen and expand the Department of Education's existing Green Ribbon Schools Program. Its core purpose is to boost the capacity of participating states to increase the number of schools, applicants, and nominees engaged in environmental, environmental literacy, and environmental health goals. The bill defines three "Green Ribbon pillars" for eligible entities: ensuring 100 percent environmentally literate graduates , targeting significant emission reductions with a long-term goal of 100 percent, and achieving a net positive impact on student and staff environmental health . To achieve these goals, the Secretary of Education is mandated to update the program's criteria within six months, aligning health standards with EPA and CDC guidelines, emphasizing climate change mitigation, and encouraging assessment of student environmental literacy. The bill establishes a competitive grant program for State Educational Agencies, requiring them to allocate at least 40 percent of funds to support underresourced schools . These grants, ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000, will help states establish their own Green Ribbon awards, partner with green school organizations, and provide statewide training and professional development. Beyond K-12 schools, the legislation also creates a new Green Ribbon award program for nonformal learning institutions , such as museums and libraries, to recognize their efforts in environmental education and sustainability. Furthermore, it establishes an Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability within the Department of Education. This new office will provide technical assistance, training, and grants related to healthy, sustainable school facilities, liaise with federal agencies, and oversee the Green Ribbon Schools Program.