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Zero Carbon Task Force

In launching The Children's Plan in 2007, Secretary of State Ed Balls stated that he wanted all schools to be zero carbon by 2016 CITATION but little is know publicly of the detail of this aspiration. In 2008, at the instigation of the Secretary of State, the Department for Children, Schools and Families established a Zero Carbon Task Force to develop a route towards zero carbon schools. CITATION Robin Nicholson was asked to chair the group which comprises a wide range of experts representing industry, education, environmental groups, academics and public sector bodies. Shortly after its formation, Dame Ellen MacArthur was invited to champion the work of the Task Force, not simply because of her public profile but because she is committed to tackling environmental issues. CITATION

Early work of the Task Force highlighted the great difficulties that will be faced in achieving a zero carbon goal whilst electricity use continues to increase as more and more information communication technology (ICT) equipment is deployed in schools. The use of ICT in schools is seen as a key contributor to raising educational standards in England. CITATION In September of 2008 the DCSF invited bids for exemplar pilot projects to test and demonstrate how new technologies might be used to reduce the carbon footprint of schools. That such an initiative is necessary is indicated by statistics from some Local Authorities (LAs) that show that almost half the carbon emissions emanate from schools. CITATION

The impact of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) may well become a means of engaging stakeholders in plotting a route towards zero carbon schools. At present schools have no obligation to reduce their emissions under CRC but LAs will be responsible for purchasing schools' carbon emission allowances.