Schools: Carbon Emissions

(asked on 22nd July 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2019 to Question 277289 on guidance to schools in reducing their carbon footprint, how his Department plans to ensure loans for development of cleaner technology are available to all institutions that need them.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 30th July 2019

The Condition Data Collection, which is due to complete school visits in autumn 2019, will provide a high-level assessment of the make-up and condition of state-funded schools in England. Analysis of this data will help inform policy development, including delivering energy efficient new schools and supporting the existing estate to reduce its energy demand. The Department will look carefully at capital funding in preparation for the upcoming Spending Review, along with all our priorities for the education system.

The Department published the 'Good estate management for schools' (GEMS) guidance in April 2018 after extensive consultation with schools and building professionals. The guidance sets out the policies, processes and documents that schools, academies and multi-academy trusts need to consider when managing their estates.

This includes a section on ‘Energy and water management’, and tips on reducing energy and water use in schools. It also signposts schools to other organisations that provide training, information and support in relation to sustainability and energy efficiency in schools. The Department plans to update the guidance in response to feedback received, including updates to the energy and water management sections.

Officials regularly present and promote the GEMS guidance at national and regional educational events. The Department also works closely with stakeholders to promote and raise awareness of the GEMS guidance.

Funding for clean technologies is available through Salix Finance Limited funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Education. Applicants to the Condition Improvement Fund can apply for energy efficiency interest-free Salix loans for condition improvement works that will lead to annual energy savings.

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