Multi-academy Meridian Trust is tackling energy waste

A campaign led by ‘Captain Carbon’ has been launched by a multi-academy trust to help their schools become greener.

The initiative was launched by the Meridian Trust after it was revealed that almost 30 per cent of the energy used in the UK is wasted.

Captain Carbon will encourage schools, staff and students to become more sustainable and support the trust’s plan to be net zero by 2030.

Martin Hair, director of estates and facilities at the trust, said: “We all know we need to play our part in becoming more sustainable and reaching the UK’s target of becoming net zero by 2050.

“Captain Carbon is designed to be a fun and imaginative way to bring all our schools together to focus on an incredibly serious issue affecting our planet and placing significant pressure on school budgets.

“We hope the campaign will help to establish good sustainable behaviours, making sure things such as lights in classrooms are turned off when they are not being used, and that windows remain closed when heating systems are working.”

The trust has already secured almost £4million through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund – and has applied for more – to complete various energy and carbon saving projects across eight of its school sites.

The work includes removing gas boilers and installing air source heat pumps, solar PV and insulation to remove at least 600 tons of carbon emissions each year.

The campaign will also help to make sure the school’s budgets are used most effectively to invest in improving the education experiences for its young people against the backdrop of rising energy prices and budget pressures in the education sector.

Captain Carbon ask schools to join the fight by focusing their actions on:

• Turning it off
• Turning it down
• Keeping it closed
• Keeping it under control.

The trust is also planning a Christmas shutdown competition to encourage schools to reduce energy usage during the holidays.

The trust includes Ely College, North Cambridge Academy and Swavesey Village College, as well as a number of primary and special schools across the region.