The British government is outfitting all schools with smart meters in a bid to cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2013. Schools currently account for 15 percent of the UK’s CO2 emissions.  School Secretary Ed Balls also detailed plans to build four completely zero-carbon schools by 2016 and ensure the energy and carbon performances of schools are monitored and published.

Balls said schools were an ideal forum in which to deliver deep cuts in emissions. “With the schools estate emitting around 9.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – about two per cent of total UK greenhouse gases – for the first time ever we have looked at the ambition of making schools zero carbon.”

The government is investing £12 million to deploy the smart meters, which will be supplied by British Gas Business. Research by the Carbon Trust indicates smart meters coupled with behavioural changes by consumers can cut energy bills by 10 to 15 per cent, which would save a typical 900-pupil secondary school more than £3,000 a year on fuel bills.

British Gas Business managing director Kanat Emiroglu, says the meters can be used as a learning aid. “These ‘dashboard’ displays will provide the opportunity for teachers and pupils to learn about climate change, energy efficiency and carbon budgeting in an exciting and interactive way, whilst also allowing schools to manage and reduce their energy costs,” he said.

The “smart school” strategy coincides with a new report by an independent Zero Carbon Taskforce appointed by Balls. The report determined that public awareness campaigns within schools are one of the most effective short term ways of curbing emissions.

“Schools are crucial in achieving lower energy ambitions, not least because of so many students’ enthusiasm for helping to protect the future of the planet,” said taskforce chair Robin Nicholson.

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