The Sustainable Development Commission's new report on the carbon footprint of English schools recommends that, with decisive action and good support from central, regional and local government, schools could halve their carbon footprint by 2020. This footprint currently stands at 9.4m tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, from heat and power in school buildings, pupil and staff travel, waste management, and the supply chain activities of companies providing goods and services to schools.
We are not suggesting that this will be easy, nor that any "one size fits all" solution can be applied to all schools. Neither are we expecting schools to bear the burden of achieving change alone, as dedicated support from a range of professionals in regional and local government, and supportive policies from central government departments will all be crucial.
But there is a great deal of good practice already out there in schools and local authorities, many of which are embracing sustainability. By making the most of this learning, schools have the potential to become beacons of good practice, showcasing what sustainable living means for pupils, staff and communities.
Our recommendations are based on the good practice we have seen across the country, and on the need for joined-up solutions that go far beyond the school gate. Essentially, we believe carbon reduction activity in schools should focus on projects that complement and enhance their core business - teaching children and ensuring their well-being - and also those that bring wider benefits such as saving money and improving health. Here are ten of our suggestions:
· Don't do it alone
Enlist the support of local authority professionals wherever possible - from transport to planning to procurement. Sustainability is rapidly rising on local authorities' agendas too, and they are now measured on the carbon emissions of their estates - including schools.
· Get pupils involved
Tap into their concern for the environment and their natural enthusiasm for change. Sustainability is on the curriculum, so use this to involve pupils in practical projects around the school. Some schools have enlisted pupils to read energy meters, monitor and report energy consumption and set targets for reducing this consumption - to great effect. (For example see www.carbondetectives.org.uk.)
· Use your carbon reduction efforts to save money
Reducing carbon emissions makes good economic sense. Insulation, efficient lighting and heating controls can bring down energy bills dramatically. In an excellent example of schools and local government working together, Kirklees schools were offered local authority loans for investments to save energy and water and reduce bills, to be paid back from the savings made on bills.
· Encourage active travel
Local authorities need to make roads safer and more attractive for walking and cycling, but the raising of awareness with staff and pupils and the provision of cycle racks and showers can also make a difference.
· Source local food: Support your local economy, reduce freight emissions and increase pupils' connection with the source of their food. See Food for Life's new "Six steps to transform food culture" campaign at www.foodforlife.org.uk.
· Minimise waste
Reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible, and compost food and other green waste.
· Use your buying power
Look at what you are buying - are there green or ethical alternatives available? How much energy does your IT equipment require? Is your paper recycled? You can extend your sphere of influence by asking suppliers to clarify their own carbon emissions, stipulating no air freighting and asking for their policy on efficient vehicles.
· Push for zero carbon new buildings
If your school is lucky enough to be part of Building Schools for the Future or the Primary Capital programme, challenge suppliers to deliver the most sustainably designed building possible - and look forward to lower running costs.
· Cut the carbon out of school trips
For many schools, overseas trips remain a dream, but if you are thinking of offering pupils exciting travel opportunities, work out the carbon impact first. School visits in the UK and by train in Europe can provide diverse experiences for pupils, while links to schools further away can be forged by post, email and even video conferencing where facilities permit.
· Tap into networks
Championing sustainability can sometimes feel like a lonely slog. Building networks with other schools and environmental organisations can help generate ideas, increase buying power, and increase your influence on local authorities.
As the SDC's 2007 report Every Child's Future Matters showed, climate change is not only a concern to children and young people, it has the potential to undermine their future prosperity and life chances. Reducing school carbon emissions now, enabling schools to prepare themselves for future climate change impacts, and preparing young people to take action in their personal and professional lives, must all be critical goals for schools.
· Ann Finlayson is education commissioner for the Sustainable Development Commission