Schools encouraged to get behind county zero carbon targets

Schools in Shropshire are being encouraged to get behind Shropshire Council’s net zero carbon strategy through a series of free workshops.

Shropshire Council’s climate taskforce is partnering with Evora Edge and University Centre Shrewsbury to deliver a series of sessions where school managers can learn about actions to reduce their sites’ carbon emissions.

The council declared a climate emergency in May 2019, and in December 2020 adopted a Climate Strategy and Action Plan, which establishes the objective of achieving net-zero carbon performance for the council by 2030.

The new award-winning carbon-neutral teaching hub at Meole Brace School, Shrewsbury

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, natural assets and the green economy, explained:-

“Schools play a vital role in the urgent battle against climate change. There is no better way of teaching the next generation then ensuring the buildings in which they are learning are transformed from part of the problem to part of the solution.

“Shropshire as a county has the aim to decarbonise all sectors by the end of this decade: this cannot be done without normalising energy efficiency in schools and decarbonising transport at the same time.

“Managing energy use plays a vital role in contributing towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions whilst helping to reduce costs. We estimate that schools maintained by Shropshire Council are responsible for 6,000 tCO2e and cost £2m a year to run. But that is only small proportion of the total number of Shropshire schools.”

The workshops will help schools understand their current carbon emissions, the impact on energy bills, how to formulate an action plan (including applications for central government funding) and case studies where low and zero carbon schools are already being successfully implemented.

Information will be shared on energy ratings and practical steps that can be taken immediately to reduce running costs and carbon footprint, as well as how to source funding and delivery options where further investment is needed.

The first workshop is being held on Tuesday 21 June 2022 from 9.30am to 12.30pm at University Centre Shrewsbury, Guildhall, Frankwell, Shrewsbury. To register visit: Zero-carbon schools – how can Shropshire schools become more energy-efficient? | Shropshire Council

Further sessions will be held in the autumn.