EQUANS has launched a school retrofit model to support the Government's 2050 net zero carbon ambitions through a two-pronged approach: decarbonsing the buildings; and encouraging the teachers and children who use them to get involved in the net zero agenda.

There are 32,000 schools across the UK and just a small number can boast net zero carbon credentials. EQUANS believes that schools sit at the very heart of communities, presenting a valuable opportunity to influence positive behaviours and strengthen support for the net zero transition.

School Zero is an innovative, holistic and flexible model, in which EQUANS collects and analyses energy and carbon data, surveys buildings, benchmarks current emissions and then plans impactful decarbonisation measures to achieve net zero carbon in operation. This can be achieved quickly through a comprehensive range of measures, such as improving heating system controls, swapping gas boilers, installing thermal efficient windows and doors, providing EV charge points, installing smart building sensors and also enhancing school grounds with tree planting.

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EQUANS has also invested in high quality curriculum materials and built a portal of useful information for teachers. It has developed a range of bespoke 'free to all' materials for Key Stage 1 and 2 including 'TED' style talks for teachers to support and grow their understanding of climate change and help them better engage pupils and local communities on the agenda. This aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and it is hoped this will help pupils understand the part they can play in creating a cleaner, greener, more sustainable world.

Mark Dolling, Education Director for EQUANS UK & Ireland, explained: "The UK has bold ambitions for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and every industry, sector and organisation has to play its part. EQUANS has combined expertise in energy, retrofit and construction and we have worked with hundreds of schools across the country to deliver new build, refurbishment and facilities management – so we are uniquely placed to bring this product to market.

"Schools sit at the heart of every community and we feel that they have a really important part to play in place-wide transition to net zero carbon. We want to put them at the centre of this work, decarbonising their own buildings but also postively influencing the behaviours and actions of families and local communities. Young people can be overwhelmed by climate change, so we wanted to create an approach that was postive, pro-active and engaging, creating 'School Zero Heroes' and confidence that they can and will make a tangible difference."