Green schools

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Green schools

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Included on this page:

» Introduction

» Sustainable schools

» Display energy certificates (DEC)

» Carbon Management in schools

» What you need to know about the NEW mandatory CRC Energy efficiency scheme

» What should your school do to prepare?

» Tried and tested ideas to cut your school’s carbon emissions

» NEW!! Case studies from Hammersmith and Fulham schools - May 2012 - Rainwater Harvesting

» Where can I get more information?


Introduction

Schools have a special role to play in reducing emissions, a role that goes beyond their contribution to reducing national emissions.

Through the curriculum and through their practices, schools can set an example to today’s children and young people. By engaging children in action to reduce emissions, schools can enhance children’s learning and build their understanding of how they can respond to climate change. In addition saving energy saves money, and helps demonstrate that the school is providing value for money and through acting on their emissions, schools can demonstrate to parents, the wider community, and Ofsted that the school has caring values and does not waste resources.


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Sustainable Schools

The Government would like every school to be a Sustainable School by 2020. A sustainable school prepares young people for a lifetime of sustainable living, through its teaching, its fabric and its day-to-day practices. It is guided by a commitment to care:

  • for oneself;
  • for each other (across cultures, distances and generations); and
  • for the environment itself (far and near).

We know that around 15% of public sector carbon emissions arise from activities in the English schools system and about one third of this is from energy use in school –buildings. You can find more information on a recent report which outlines the evidence of impact for Sustainable schools.
» DCSF Evidence of Impact of Sustainable Schools Publication (1mb PDF)


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Display energy certificates (DEC)

Since October 2008 occupiers of public buildings including schools with floor areas of more than 1000m2 require to have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC).  DECs are used to display the actual energy use and energy efficiency of the buildings and data is based on annual bills of gas, electricity and other meter readings or fuel delivery records in the case of oil. The certificate needs to be clearly displayed at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.  This usually is the school reception or main office area.  The penalty for failure to display a DEC is £500. A DEC is accompanied by an Advisory Report which does not need to be displayed and lists effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building. 

Please contact Theresa Friday theresa.friday@lbhf.gov.uk if you need to get a DEC or renew your old one.  Theresa will also be able to give you a copy of the Advisory Report if you would like to see it.  Schools are free to source their own assessor in order to get a valid DEC however the Carbon Reduction Unit will be able to arrange this as well.   For more information please go to: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/resourcesfinanceandbuilding/
schoolbuildings/energyefficiency/certificates/


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Carbon management in schools

Greenhouse gas emissions from the school sector are divided in 4 main categories:

  • The use of energy to heat and power the building
  • Staff and pupil travel to and from school and other journeys undertaken on school business
  • Emissions produced by the school’s supply chain (such as food providers etc)
  • And emissions from waste produced by the schools

In 2006 the total greenhouse gas emissions from schools was estimated as 7.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Schools spend over £400m on energy each year, with secondary schools commonly receiving bills in the order of £60,000. Case study evidence suggests that an average secondary school could save up to 20% off its energy bills through replacement of heating, lighting and cooling equipment, a saving of around £12,000 each and every year.

Pie chart showing schools carbon footprint of Travel 16%, Engery 55% and Procurement 29%

See the Carbon Management Strategy for the school sector for more information, facts and figures
» DCSF Carbon strategy for schools publication (2.4mb PDF)


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What you need to know about the NEW mandatory CRC Energy efficiency scheme

The Carbon Reduction Commitment imposes legal obligations on approximately 6,000 private and public sector organisations throughout the UK, including Local Authorities. Although aimed at reducing carbon emissions the CRC is not only about sustainability or reducing energy. It is a mandatory emissions trading scheme and requires qualifying participants to purchase allowances to cover their actual carbon emissions each year arising from energy use in their buildings including all schools in their area.

The purpose of the new legislation is to reduce energy consumption and save costs. With predictions that energy prices will rise in future years, and the introduction of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme also creating financial incentives for energy reduction, there are sound budgetary reasons for addressing carbon reduction.

It is therefore a great opportunity for schools to work together with their local Authority to achieve this and reduce their utility costs as we can make suggestion of energy and carbon saving projects which not only include new installations but pupil engagement and other ideas to make your school greener.

You can find more information on the Impact of this new scheme and your responsibilities in this leaflet.
» The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and Schools leaflet (1.7mb PDF)


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What should your school do to prepare?

Now-Start monitoring your energy data (electricity and gas). You can do this by taking meter readings on a monthly basis. Keep those readings as well as give these to your suppliers so that your bills are accurate and not estimated. Please check the meter reading table (74kb Word) and more information on how to read your meters (734kb PDF). This will provide an evidence pack for your schools which we will need to obtain from your school by June 2011

  • Now - Star saving, get in touch if you need to discuss suitable energy saving projects or you just want to chat and see what we are doing. We will do our best to help and possibly arranging a meeting where we can pop in to discuss your issues or ideas
  • Before end of February 2011 - request an annual statement from all your suppliers covering the 2010-11 financial year (i.e. April 2010- March 2011)
  • Before the end of June 2011 - provide us with your evidence pack which will contain meter monthly meter readings for the year from all your gas and electricity meters together with your annual statement from all your utility suppliers
  • Anytime, Give us a call or drop us an e-mail to see how we can help, and discuss any issues vassia.paloumbi@lbhf.gov.uk or theresa.Friday@lbhf.gov.uk


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Tried and tested ideas to cut your school’s carbon emissions

The Sustainable Development Commission's new report on the carbon footprint of English schools recommends that, with decisive action and good support from central, regional and local government, schools could halve their carbon footprint by 2020. There is a lot of good practice out there and in most cases behaviour change in your school and collaboration with your local Authority and other schools can bring great results.

  • Enlist the support of local authority professionals wherever possible - from transport to planning to procurement.
  • Get pupils involved. Sustainability is on the curriculum, so use this to involve pupils in practical projects around the school.
  • Raise awareness amongst staff and pupils to walk to cycle to school and free your local roads from traffic
  • Support your local economy by purchasing fresh and local produce from farmer’s markets and local stalls
  • Reduce, reuse and recycle, use your orange bag collection to the maximum.
  • Compost food and other green waste from your garden
  • Buy green products. From recycled paper to energy efficient computers and even fair-trade tea and coffee for staff
  • Building networks with other schools and environmental organisations can help generate ideas, increase buying power, and increase your influence on your local authority
  • Get parents, governors, and other teachers involved. Sustainability should not stop at the school gate


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NEW! Case studies from Hammersmith and Fulham schools

Get inspired by other Hammersmith and Fulham schools
We have collected case studies from our schools who have successfully taken on sustainability and embeded it into their everyday school life, their grounds and the curriculum.  We hope that these real stories from our schools will inspire you to start or further continue your journey to becoming a greener school.  Please get in touch if you want to share your story or just simply share good practice. Email carbonreduction@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 6238 

Case Study - May 2012 - Rainwater harvesting – savings for your school                     

Cambridge school will save 160,650 litres of mains water and £285 a year through their new rainwater harvesting system.  Based in White City, the school is one of four in London to take part in a pilot project run by the GLA and environmental consultants ech2o to retrofit rainwater harvesting systems into schools, saving money, energy and reliance on mains water. 

 

Using fun and innovative workshops, ech2o worked with Cambridge pupils to identify the advantages of rainwater harvesting and inspire changes in behaviour to reduce the amount of water they consume.  Using the actual system now installed at the school, pupils worked out the amount of rainwater that will be collected, how much money that will save the school and what percentage of current water use it will offset. 

Shower timers, stickers and other water saving devices were distributed to reinforce the message and all pupils were encouraged to own the behavioural changes they will make to lessen their impact on the environment.

ech2o have run workshops at over 50 schools in London and the South East over the last two years for school pupils of all ages to enable them to understand the links between water use, the environment and CO2 emissions.  ech2o can tailor their visit to the needs of each individual school, linking into key stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 across maths, science, geography and citizenship.  For more information, go to the ech2o website www.ech2o.co.uk or contact a member of the team at info@ech2o.co.uk tel: 020 7183 1908.

Case Study - April 2012 - Children's Parliament on the Environment

Pupils from 10 primary schools across the borough recently joined together to debate the environmental issues of the day at the Children’s Parliament held in Hammersmith Town Hall.

Year 6 pupils researched a topic of their choice with help from the Urban Studies Centre.  On the day, two young people presented their school’s research in the council chamber on topics ranging from packaging and food waste to fair-trade and the Olympics.

Pupils from Normand Croft School talked about energy use and told of their surprise at finding out their school was the 2nd highest consumer of energy in H&F.  With help from the council’s carbon reduction manager, they were able to carry out an energy audit to identify ways of reducing their carbon footprint.  Area’s that were identified for improvement included turning off lights and computers at the end of lessons, and by installing energy efficient LED lights Normand Croft reduced their electricity bills by 21%.

A number of schools were awarded for their efforts and all received a certificate and book for their participation in the event from Councillor Helen Binmore, Cabinet Member for Children's Services.

The Director of Hammersmith and Fulham Urban Studies Centre, Moya O’Hara, said, ‘The event gave children the opportunity to have their say on issues that affect them both locally and globally and to present their own ideas and solutions to an interested audience.’

Case Study - March 2012

The West London Free School recently joined up with Tapwater.org to install environmentally friendly water dispensers that produce free still, sparkling and chilled water for pupils.

Tapwater.org are a not for profit organisation who promote the drinking of tap water and reduced use of plastic bottles, which can cost young people up to £1.80 per bottle or £350 a year on average.  

Throughout the plastic bottle production, transport and storage process, carbon dioxide is emitted into the air via the use of electricity, gas and fuel.  It is estimated that only 17% of bottles are recycled and huge quantities of plastic waste ends up in landfill.

 

The West London free school pupils were also provided with reusable ‘life bottles’ which keep water cool for up to 20 hours.  Deputy headteacher Sam Naismith said, ‘ Tapwater.org made a real impression on the children when they showed how many plastic bottles end up in landfill every year, and even more of an impression when the children learned how much money they would save by not buying bottled water.’

If you are interested in installing a water dispenser in your school, Tapwater.org run a grants programme which provides between £300 and £3,000, subject to completion of a suitability application form. They are currently accepting applications and futher details can be found at http://www.tapwater.org/grants    If you decide to install a water dispenser, we would love to hear about it. Please do let us know by contacting  carbonreduction@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 6238.


Marlene and Eileen eagerly awaiting for Zoo Lab ranger in their Rainforest outfits

Case study - Climate Week 2011 
James Lee took part in Climate week 2011 which was celebrated around the globe between the 21 and 27 of March. During the week children and staff worked around a rainforest theme and decorated the school accordingly. Find out more about how children and staff got invloved as well as how James Lee has taken steps to improve their environment with sustainability. Click here for the full case study. Photo above: Marlene and Eileen eagerly awaiting for zoo lab ranger in their rainforest outfits

Case study - May 2011

Since May 2011, Hurlingham and Chelsea secondary school together with help from the council's Carbon Reduction team has been looking at ways to reduce their schools' carbon footprint and reduce their energy bills. The school installed energy controllers and sensors in order to identify areas for improvement and since May have embarked on a programme for energy efficiency installations which have already saved the school money on energy bills.

Click here for the full case study.  

 

Where can I get more information?

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Page last updated: 16/05/2012