Net zero support for climate-conscious schools
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Boulevard Academy pupils with representatives from the school, Oh Yes! Net Zero and Hull City Council
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Six schools have received vital funding to accelerate their drive to net zero.
The Hull secondary schools have been supported under a pioneering programme run by the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign.
The secondary schools successfully bid for at least £10,000 – jointly funded by Oh Yes! Net Zero founding partners Reckitt and Hull City Council – to help them accurately measure and reduce their carbon footprint.
As part of the same project, five student-led climate initiatives have also received funding. Those projects range from rainwater harvesting and recycling to biodiversity enhancement.
The funding was awarded through Oh Yes! Net Zero’s Climate Changemakers programme, which was launched to inspire the next generation of climate champions.
The programme has already worked with students across Hull to develop their science communication skills, create educational resources and encourage them to take climate action.
Oh Yes! Net Zero is a campaign bringing together businesses and organisations in Hull and the Humber with a shared commitment to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to net zero.
CLIMATE CHAMPIONS: Boulevard Academy students showing Melissa Rackham, engagement manager at Oh Yes! Net Zero, their sustainability work
Launched in 2022, Oh Yes! Net Zero now has over 150 active members, ranging from some of the region’s biggest businesses to SMEs with only a handful of employees.
Grace Chapman, programme lead for the Climate Changemakers project, said: “Our Climate Changemakers programme empowers young people to take action to protect the planet.
“The feedback we’ve received from students participating in our activities has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve nurtured fantastic ideas and sparked creativity which is making a real difference.
“We’re excited that the Climate Changemakers programme is now entering the next phase to support schools in taking action to reduce their carbon emissions, improve biodiversity and empower students to make change.”
Schools have large estates with multiple buildings and facilities and reducing their environmental impact is important in the net zero transition.
The new funding will enable five schools to implement an energy management system on their sites. This will allow them to comprehensively measure, understand and analyse their carbon footprint, with the aim of using the data to develop their carbon reduction plan.
An energy management system can highlight a specific part of the estate – like a sports hall – which is consuming high levels of energy.
SUPPORT: Boulevard Academy is one of six Hull secondary schools to receive funding through Oh Yes! Net Zero’s Climate Changemakers project
Having that knowledge enables schools to focus on tackling areas which can have the biggest impact. Once a school has identified suitable projects, it can apply for grant funding to support the investments required to transition to net zero.
Martin Budd, climate change manager at Hull City Council, said: “A key element of Hull’s 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy is engaging with young people so they can help shape a city of tomorrow – one with low carbon energy and sustainability at its heart.
“For students to see the work their own schools are doing to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as getting involved in some really powerful sustainability projects, is a fantastic way to inspire the next generation of climate leaders.
“As a Founding Partner of Oh Yes! Net Zero, Hull City Council is delighted to be funding these projects which will play a significant role in decarbonising school estates and involving students in the net zero transition.”
The schools and students to receive funding are:
● The Boulevard Academy, west Hull
● Kelvin Hall School, west Hull
● Malet Lambert, east Hull
● The Marvell College, east Hull
● Newland School for Girls, west Hull
● Sirius Academy West, west Hull
‘WONDERFUL IDEAS’: Boulevard Academy students with Martin Budd, climate change manager at Hull City Council and Councillor Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment
Lydia Burton, teacher of science and eco committee coordinator at The Boulevard Academy, said: “We’ve seen first-hand the passion and wonderful ideas that students have had as part of this sustainability project.
“What is also clear to see is how acutely aware our students are of the impacts of climate change, and the urgent need to take action to protect our planet and become more sustainable.
“We’re so grateful to have received this funding, which will enable us to move forwards with our own carbon reduction plan. By involving our students in that process, we are inspiring them to think about the small changes they can make in their own life which all play a part in tackling climate change.”
Student-led projects to receive funding span a broad range of sustainability initiatives.
At Malet Lambert School, The Boulevard Academy and The Marvell College, students will create vegetable gardens to grow produce.
Meanwhile, at Kelvin Hall School, students will work on a rainwater harvesting project, alongside a recycling scheme and sensory garden to improve biodiversity.
Sirius Academy West students will use their funding to purchase a wind turbine model, to help explain the concept of renewable energy to other students, and improve their green space through a student garden.
The latest Climate Changemakers project is supported by Hull-based C3 Group, a sustainability consultancy providing businesses with net zero strategies, low carbon technologies and energy efficiency retrofit work.
Climate Changemakers was launched by Oh Yes! Net Zero to empower young people in Hull to take action against climate change.
The initiative aims to engage with thousands of students through a variety of sustainability activities, all with a focus on preserving and enhancing the environment.