Zero-carbon schools to be introduced in the UK by 2016

08/02/2010

The first ever zero-carbon schools will be built across England in the next six years, it has been announced.

Schools secretary Ed Balls recently laid out plans for at least four pilot zero-carbon schools to be operational in each government region before 2016.

It is hoped that these pilot projects will encourage more schools to cut both carbon emissions and business energy bills.

Mandatory targets require an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from schools by 2013 compared to 2002 building standards.

This is a 20 per cent increase on the department's current requirement to reduce emissions by 60 per cent.

It has been estimated that schools overall are responsible for around 9.4 million tonnes of emissions - about two per cent of total UK greenhouse gases.

However Mr Balls pointed out that the government's plans were not just about making new buildings green, stating that existing schools could also be adapted to make them more efficient.

Bglobal recently signed a multi-million deal with British Gas Business to supply smart energy metres, available later this year, which will give organisations including schools real-time digital information about their business energy use.

Posted by Alison Smith