Oasis Community Learning, one of the largest multi-academy trusts in England, is now one step closer to becoming a carbon neutral educational organisation with the support of Zenergi and SmartestEnergy.

Zenergi supported the Trust in switching 41 of its 52 academies to SmartestEnergy’s renewable electricity product.

The 100% renewable electricity product has been independently certified by the Carbon Trust, meaning every megawatt hour of electricity supplied is matched with a UK-recognised origin certificate. SmartestEnergy sources these certificates from renewable generation projects, including wind, solar, water, thermal, and anaerobic digestion (AD).

John Barneby, Chief Operating Officer at Oasis Community Learning, said; “We believe that the education sector has a responsibility to raise awareness and empower future generations to ensure the sustainability of our planet. We are incredibly excited about this project as it will reduce our impact on the environment and represents the start of a bigger and longer-term initiative to lead the way in the education sector.”

Simon Firth, Head of Energy Solutions at Zenergi, said; “Zenergi is delighted to be supporting Oasis Community Learning reduce its carbon footprint by facilitating the purchase of renewable electricity across its academies.”

Oasis Community Learning has an ‘Environmental and Sustainability Group’ with colleagues from across the Oasis family. The group acts as ‘sustainability champions’ across the family of academies and will look at developing a policy, strategy and implementation to roll out this exciting project.

Oasis is set to announce its Environmental Sustainability Strategy with its first goals being a new carbon neutral waste and recycling contract; setting up an eco-champion in each of its 52 schools; and creating educational change around energy efficiency and usage.