‘Green School Giving: A London Schools Carbon Initiative’, will be led by the UEA’s Carbon Management MBA students and Merton Council’s climate
A new project is launching to improve energy efficiency in Merton schools.
Merton Council has joined forces with the University of East Anglia and will aim to raise money from the private sector to help improve energy efficiency.
The project, called ‘Green School Giving: A London Schools Carbon Initiative’, will be led by the UEA’s Carbon Management MBA students and Merton Council’s climate change team.
“It is paramount that learning facilities reflect and enable children to become sustainable citizens early on and complement their education on climate change,” said Naomi Baker, a student on the UEA’s Carbon MBA.
“The UEA MBA team is excited to work with Merton Council by leveraging our expertise and network to build a bridge with London’s Corporate Community.”
The project will go to Merton businesses and ask them to invest in energy efficiency as part of their social responsibility.
The UEA team predict every £1,000 donated to increasing energy efficiency at a school will save the school a minimum of £5,000 over the next 15 years.
“Tackling climate change on a local level, as well as a national level, has long been one of Merton Council’s priorities,” said Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration.
He added that often environmental sense makes economic sense, and in these difficult times being environmentally conscientious is a great benefit.
Richard Rugg, Managing Director of Public Sector Advice at the Carbon Trust, said: “The new project in Merton is a great example of how local authorities can work together with schools to achieve huge savings in energy bills and carbon.
The Carbon Trust is a world-leading organisation who help businesses, governments and the public sector to become more energy efficient.
Mr Rugg added: “Our recent work providing advice, support and resources for this sector shows that UK schools could achieve savings of up to £70 million a year.”
London generates 44 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Workplaces are responsible for 42% of this according to the London Energy and Greenhouse Gas Initiative (2008).
Councillor Judge said: “If we can use this project to educate our children about practical ways to save energy, it will stand them in good stead for a green future.”
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