last updated 27th October 05
By 4ecotips

Important steps needed to halt carbon epidemic

Schools across the UK are being urged to join the Energy Saving Trust's "Save your 20%" campaign and take simple steps to halt an epidemic of carbon wastage by signing up to the Energy Certification for Schools programme.

The Energy and Waste in an Age of Excess research commissioned to launch Energy Saving Week paints a bleak picture of life in 2020 if we don't take action now. It highlights the need for schools to help safeguard the environment for the future.

Philip Sellwood, EST chief executive, points out: "The research reveals that unless we make concerted efforts to curb excessive carbon wastage, we face a very different lifestyle where modern luxuries could become a thing of the past.

"As energy reserves start to run dry and we're increasingly urged to live more modest, sustainable lives our spacious homes, time-saving appliances and restful baths are just some of the home comforts that could be a thing of the past unless we all take action now."

The report forecasts a version of the future that could be easily avoided by implementing small measures to reduce excessive levels of carbon dioxide emissions. For example, if every school in the UK replaced just ten fluorescent light fittings with energy saving alternatives, over 13,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions could be cut annually, with £1.4m saved in energy bills every year.

Sellwood says: "Schools are already trailblazing the fight against climate change, but we are urging more schools to join the 600 schools already taking part in the Energy Certification programme."

The Energy Certification programme outlines a simple check list that schools can undertake:

Register your school online for the Energy Certification for Schools programme at www.est.org.uk/schools or call the helpline on 0870 128 28 20.
Form an 'Energy Team' to drive your schools progress through the certification scheme. The energy team should contain representatives from the whole school community, including students

Conduct a school energy check by walking around your school to find out where and how energy is used. A fully comprehensive school energy check can be found on the web site

Take regular meter readings and look at trends in energy use to compare with other schools and check against your bills

Use your energy check and meter readings to develop an energy action plan and take back control of your energy

Get started - Fill in the energy monitor and progress your school through the energy certification process.