Let’s Go Zero, a national campaign aimed at engaging students in positive climate action, is hoping to get all 32,000 schools in the UK to go zero carbon by 2030. The campaign’s ultimate goal is more ambitious than the government’s 2050 target of achieving net zero. However, Alex Green, who leads the campaign for the climate solutions charity Ashden, believes it is achievable with government support.
Let’s Go Zero is working to get more schools, teachers, and students involved in climate action than ever before. One way schools can get involved is by participating in Let’s Go Zero’s Climate Action Countdown. The event, which began on June 7 and lasted for a month, features a “pick and mix” calendar of actions and daily activities. It comes with a free resources pack with assembly presentations, manifestos, coloring sheets, and more.
Schools on average use about 10% of their energy during term-time weekends, resulting in £260m in bills and over 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, according to data from Let’s Go Zero. Installing solar panels, LED lights, and building management systems can save around 30-40%, while simple changes in behavior, such as turning off lights and electronics and adjusting thermostats, can lead to a 5-7% savings.
The cost of retrofitting the UK’s old school buildings is estimated to be £18bn. The campaign leaders have been working with the government and talking to opposition parties about making changes. In the meantime, schools are doing what they can, whether it’s rewilding land, running a Fairtrade tuck shop, holding “no electricity days” or such, to reduce their carbon footprint.
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