Schools get free advice on carbon cutting

Larger schools, together with most college and university campuses, will be amongst them.

This week, the Carbon Trust told edie about the free advice it can offer schools and other public sector organisations.

Tom Cumberlege, public sector manager, outlined the organisation’s carbon survey service as well as highlighting grant aid and soft loans that are available to schools eyeing capital expenditure on renewable energy and other energy efficiency measures.

He also gave examples of education authorities that had appointed energy managers to help schools throughout their patch make savings.

“The first and practical step is to understand where the simple measures can be made – the no/low cost measures,” said Mr Cumberlege.

“People can start to minimise energy wastage first then start to build an idea of what the options are for capital investment.

“That will often be looking at improving the way they’re delivering heating and lighting and certainly if they want to then take advantage of grants to invest in renewable technologies that’s a credible option.”

He recommended schools interested look at the Carbon Trust’s publications, available on the schools pages of its website at www.carbontrust.co.uk/schools or to call the trust on 0800 0852005.

“It’s really easy,” said Mr Cumberlege.

“We’ve got a dedicated website and dedicated contact centre who’re there to take calls from schools.”

Sam Bond