New initiative to help schools combat climate change
Carbon emissions from state schools are set to be included in a carbon trading scheme to help promote energy efficiency.
Under the new plans, local authorities will be encouraged to provide help and advice to schools about how to cut energy bills and carbon emissions.
The amount of energy used in schools will also count towards the overall carbon footprint of local authorities, as part of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme (CRC), a mandatory scheme that encourages local authorities to reduce emissions.
State schools will join around 5000 large commercial and public sector organisations such as supermarkets, hotel chains, universities, water companies and government departments that already include their emissions.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn made the announcement as he published new research which shows that 90 per cent of children think their school can take action to help tackle climate change.
Mr Benn said:
“Young people stand to gain most tomorrow from the action we take on climate change today. That’s why schools should be included in the shift to a low carbon economy.
“Bringing schools into the carbon footprint of local authorities taking part in this scheme will encourage greater energy efficiency, with children seeing the results in their own schools. “
From April 2010, individual schools will be asked to supply information about their annual energy use to the local authority.
The scheme will be revenue neutral, with those who perform best being rewarded financially for their efforts.
Last December, the Government announced its long-term ambition for every new school building to be zero-carbon from 2016.
Ministers have already taken significant steps to cut energy use and encourage low carbon generation in schools to be the norm.
Further information
Page published: 16 July 2008