Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation
'Energy efficient' is used to describe things that only use as much energy as needed without wasting any. 'Decarbonisation' is used to describe the process of reducing the amount of CO2 emissions.
What are we already doing?
Let's Go Zero: We’ve taken the 'Let's Go Zero' pledge, joining UK schools who want to be Zero Carbon by 2030. We’re taking action now to reduce our carbon impact, helping combat climate change and safeguarding our planet for future generations. On the Let's Go Zero website, there are lots of useful ways that schools can reduce their carbon footprint.
Energy Champions: Children in school have taken on the challenge of becoming 'energy champions', the role of an energy champion is to monitor energy use in classrooms and breakout spaces during recreational times and advise on how better to conserve energy - this could simply be switching off the lights or closing the external doors. The energy champions fill in a quick survey (see below) to leave in the classroom for the teachers to see after lunchtime.
What else can we do?
Count Your Carbon: We will use the 'Count Your Carbon' digital toolkit to calculate the carbon footprint of our school. This tool will allow us to see exactly what is contributing most to loss of energy or release of carbon in our setting. From this, we can undertake any advisory actions which are suggested from the survey.
Switch Off Fortnight: We will continue to join in with 'Switch Off Fortnight' each year which is run by 'The Pod', you can find more information here. The next Switch Off Fortnight is 10th - 23rd Nov 2025.
What can you do at home to conserve energy?
- Switch to LED bulbs and turn off lights when leaving a room
- Unplug devices when not in use and use energy efficient appliances where possible
- Take shorter showers or install water-saving shower heads
- Check for leaks and draughts regularly in your home and fix them as soon as possible
- More tips and tricks found here --> https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/top-tips-to-reduce-your-carbon-emissions/