Sustainable schools: the answer to the challenge of reaching net zero?
The construction of sustainable schools is a growing priority in today’s complex environmental scenario. The adoption of innovative strategies for heating and energy consumption in school buildings constitutes a tough challenge but it also provides an opportunity to encourage:
- the reduction of carbon emissions;
- and better environmental awareness.
This approach is essential in order to meet Net Zero targets: the strategy aiming to limit the increase in global temperatures to within 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The fact that this entire project is not designed to completely eliminate emissions but rather to balance them to avoid further increasing the climate load, makes next generation schools the ideal place to try to meet the established targets.
Challenges and opportunities facing sustainable schools
Historically, the education sector has always been associated with high levels of energy consumption, mainly due to its considerable need for heating and hot water provision. In the United Kingdom for example, schools cause a considerable amount of pollution due to their use of natural gas, which is still their most frequent choice of energy source.
Of course, the transition to low carbon emission technologies is gradually gaining ground, but difficulties remain. Among the main challenges to be faced at the moment are the initial and operating costs of the new systems, (although equipment like heat pumps and solar power systems are promising options, their installation often requires costly upgrades to infrastructure).
It should also be emphasised that the use of electricity-based systems can definitely cause an increase in energy prices. This is a key factor that leads many schools to prefer the latest gas systems which are able to offer a good compromise between efficiency and cost.
Promising technologies for sustainable schools
Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in new school buildings. They use energy from the surrounding area to heat the building, thereby considerably reducing emissions. Unfortunately however, their use is often limited to retrofit projects, so schools have to deal with any problems involving their existing infrastructure.
Another emerging technology is certainly solar power, which can cover up to 30% of the energy required for hot water provision. This system works very well in conjunction with hybrid solutions, as it combines both energy efficiency and emission reductions.
Considering that the hybrid systems mentioned above can be used with different energy sources, such as gas and solar power, they provide an ideal solution for many sustainable schools. They guarantee flexibility and reliability, also reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, they are designed to be compatible with innovative future systems, such as green hydrogen.
Towards a sustainable future
Schools not only need to reduce emissions, they must also teach their pupils about sustainability. The inclusion of ecological practices as part of the design and management of school buildings provides a perfect opportunity for students to learn all about global energy efficiency targets.
The role of universities is also important as they often act as pilots for innovation in the sector and are working towards the development of models that can be replicated in other academic buildings.
In order to make schools more sustainable, an integrated approach is required which takes into account factors such as:
- energy analysis: monitoring current consumption to identify opportunities for improvement;
- customised design: adopting technologies that can be adapted to fit a school’s specific needs;
- training and raising awareness: involvng the school comunity to promote a culture of sustainability.
In conclusion, despite the considerable initial investment required, the long term benefits, such as reduced emissions, energy savings and environmental education, far exceed the difficulties. With the right mix of technology and a joint effort by everyone involved, school buildings can become genuine examples of sustainability for future generations.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith