Educating the energy users of the future
by Zen Family Member, Chris Jermy
Introduction:
The Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy will introduce climate change education to the curriculum from 2023. Children and teachers will be supported to develop their understanding of climate change and all other related areas, such as sustainability and net zero. By 2025, the aim is to introduce a Natural History GCSE into the school curriculum, whilst opportunities to explore sustainability in existing GCSEs such as design and technology; food preparation and nutrition; and economics will be unlocked. At Zenergi, we welcome these plans that will enable students to develop a greater understanding of the current state of our planet and learn how human behaviour is exacerbating the climate crisis. This critical education hopes to inspire our next generation of green leaders to help reverse the devastating effects of climate change for generations to come.
We recognise our unique position to share our knowledge in the sectors in which we work to support this important development.
Inspiring students: Is your school energy efficient?
This addition to the curriculum will naturally spark students’ curiosity and will inevitably leave them wanting to know what their school is doing to help reduce its carbon footprint. Learning in an environment where leaders are conscious of the school’s carbon footprint is crucial for pupil engagement and further inspiring their sustainable choices.
To create a sustainable learning environment and fast-track the journey to net zero, implementing energy efficiency measures is essential. Our energy consultants and engineers have an extensive portfolio of supporting schools on their net zero journey.
Our energy and water audits provide a comprehensive review of the energy and water used across a school building’s portfolio to directly understand the areas where real savings can be achieved. It involves a thorough investigation into all types of usage as well as end users and can help solve building performance issues, in addition to identifying how to reduce consumption, carbon emissions and operating costs.
Many schools are recognising the benefits of upgrading their lighting to LED, which not only improves the aesthetics and provides brighter lighting in classrooms, but also delivers the obvious energy savings.
Our technical services division is dedicated to supporting schools in meeting compliance obligations, including Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs), Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), and Air Conditioning Inspections (TM44).
Additionally, we help schools to unlock available government funding for decarbonisation, energy efficiency and renewable projects.
Schools with an active and engaged eco council are best placed to maximise the benefits that come from the curriculum update, and can help to make a difference by embedding good energy saving behaviours; taking responsibility for helping to ensure lights and equipment are turned off; dripping taps are reported and waste is minimised.
Try our resources
If you are looking for a fun way to learn more about the effects of climate change, why not try some of our educational resources developed for use both in schools and at home…
Climate Crisis game
Our Climate Crisis game aims to educates children about the effects of climate change. Players will be tested throughout the game with quiz questions and rewarded with #Zentokens to buy improvements for their very own virtual town in the hope of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Become a #Zengineer and learn how to reverse the effects of climate change and reduce your carbon footprint here – https://climatecrisis.zenergi.co.uk/
How to be a green superhero: A guide to saving energy and the planet
Our resource, created in partnership with ASCL, aims to help raise awareness about environmental issues. It provides a useful, ready-made set of activities to support the learning, which can hopefully be built into existing workplans, enabling teachers to further enhance the work that they are doing with pupils on the environment and natural world. Take a look – https://bit.ly/306ONqI
Our worksheets
In lockdown we shared a series of worksheets to support home working, packed full of sustainable and educational activities. Why not try them for hours of fun in the classroom or at home! Find them all here: https://bit.ly/39V8RuL
Author bio:
Chris Jermy – Zenergi – Head of Business Development
Since joining Zenergi in 2013 Chris has undertaken a number of roles, predominantly focused on supporting education customers to fulfil their energy needs better. Chris leads the education business development team, ensuring education customers meet their energy and cost saving objectives. He is also an accredited public buildings and domestic energy assessor.
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