Why Energy Use in Schools Matters
High energy use in schools is a significant issue because it increases carbon emissions, operating costs, and environmental impact. Energy consumption contributes directly to climate change, making it a critical sustainability challenge. Reducing energy use supports global decarbonisation goals, improves efficiency, and demonstrates environmental responsibility. Schools that address energy use not only lower their environmental footprint but also save money that can be reinvested into education.
Why Schools Should Engage
Schools have a unique opportunity to influence future generations. Engaging with energy reduction initiatives allows students to learn about decarbonisation and energy efficiency, helping them understand the link between everyday actions and climate change. This education fosters a culture of sustainability, preparing students to make informed choices and advocate for greener practices in their communities. By modelling responsible energy use, schools lead by example and reinforce their commitment to climate action.
Actions and Embedding Sustainability
To reduce energy use, schools can take two main approaches: improving estates and driving behaviour change. Estate improvements include upgrading insulation, installing energy-efficient lighting and heating systems, using smart controls, and exploring renewable energy options like solar panels. Behavioural actions involve encouraging staff and students to switch off lights and devices, reduce heating waste, and adopt energy-conscious habits. Embedding these actions into school culture requires integrating sustainability into the curriculum, creating eco-committees, setting measurable targets, and celebrating achievements. Regular communication, student-led campaigns, and linking energy-saving to school values ensure long-term engagement.
Intro to Decarbonisation
This 5-minute video from Suffolk Sustainable Schools Network talks through the definition of scope emission types 1, 2 & 3, how these apply to schools and what types of initiatives support decarbonisation in these areas.
Count Your Carbon
This video introduces the Count your Carbon tool for schools from Keep Britain Tidy. This is a free carbon footprint calculator, data-gathering guides, detailed reports, a Carbon Reduction Guide with 60+ actions, and an Action Plan template, helping schools measure emissions, identify priorities, and create tailored climate action plans.
Energy Sparks
This short video introduces Energy Sparks, an organisation that helps schools cut energy costs and carbon emissions through real-time energy data, tailored insights, alerts, and 140+ curriculum-linked activities. It offers training, workshops, audits, and resources to empower pupils and staff in sustainability and climate action.
Retrofit action for tomorrow
This video introduces the Zero Carbon Action Builder from Retrofit Action for Tomorrow (RAFT). This web-based tool helps schools understand buildings, identify decarbonisation measures, prioritise actions, unlock funding, and track progress. It supports energy efficiency, compliance, biodiversity, and community engagement, turning sustainability ambitions into practical, data-driven strategies for zero-carbon schools.
Solar Up
This short video introduces the Solar Up project from Suffolk County Council. Solar Up offers schools practical support to install solar panels without upfront costs. The scheme covers surveys, legal work, and maintenance, while helping schools reduce energy bills and access educational resources through Energy Sparks to monitor and improve energy use.
Church of England have written a guide to provide schools with practical steps to achieve net zero carbon, from quick, low-cost actions to major projects like heat pumps and solar panels. It includes planning tools, funding advice, and collaboration tips, helping sustainability leads create phased, effective carbon-reduction strategies.
This UK government-backed resource from CATAPULT Energy Systems helps public sector organisations plan and deliver decarbonisation projects. It offers guides, templates, and case studies on strategy development, heat decarbonisation, feasibility studies, funding applications, and energy management.
