DECC - Working Together to Make a Difference

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) explains the threat that climate change poses and the way that individuals and schools can help make a difference.

We face unprecedented challenges to our environment, our economy, and the future security of our energy supplies – and the decisions we make now will affect the planet and our way of life for generations to come.

Climate Change

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created in October 2008 to tackle these challenges. It brings together energy policy (previously with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) and climate change mitigation policy (previously with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

The DECC’s creation reflects the fact that climate change and energy policies are inextricably linked – two thirds of our emissions come from the energy we use – and that decisions in one field cannot be made without considering the impacts in the other.

The Role of Individuals

Given the enormity of the problem of climate change, many people find it hard to believe that they can do anything to help. But over 40% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are the result of decisions taken directly by individuals, for heating and lighting homes and for personal transport. Action from individuals, the government, schools and businesses, therefore, is vital if we are to put the brakes on the changing of our climate.

The Role of Schools

Schools have a special role to play in securing the future for young people. As places of learning, schools are central to cultivating understanding and as models of good practice they can prepare young people for a lifetime of sustainable living.

“90% of children think their school can take action to help tackle climate change”
In July 2008, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn published research which showed that 90% of children think their school can take action to help tackle climate change, and whilst many schools are already taking steps to become more sustainable more could still be done to reduce the harmful emissions produced by schools.

Emissions

According to a report by the Sustainable Development Commission, England’s schools currently produce 9.4m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year through heat and power (37%), getting goods and services to and from school (45%), travel and transport (16%), and waste management (2%).

The SDC believes that these emissions could be halved by 2020 with the help of local and central government and there are a number of simple steps that schools can take to reduce their carbon footprints.

ACT ON CO2

Launched in 2007, ACT ON CO2 is a major Government-led campaign which aims to engage citizens on climate change issues, address the confusion and powerlessness which can impede people from taking action, and encourage genuine and sustained behaviour change to help reduce carbon emissions and meet UK emissions targets.

The campaign provides advice and information to the public on reducing individual CO2 emissions. It is supported by a website hosted on the Directgov site: www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2 which includes a carbon calculator and the ACT ON CO2 advice line: 0800 512 012.

The website currently covers messages on a range of topics, from energy saving, recycling, and saving water to smarter driving and how to shop smarter for food, clothes and household appliances.

The carbon calculator guides users through a series of questions about their home and lifestyle, and uses this information to calculate their carbon footprint and provide information tailored to their circumstances on how to reduce their CO2 emissions.

Communicating Climate Change

Originally developed by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department for Transport (DfT), ACT ON CO2 is now used by numerous government departments and stakeholders, such as the Eco-schools initiative, as a vehicle to communicate climate change related messages to their audiences.

“The ACT ON CO2 campaign shows what actions we can all take as individuals to reduce our carbon footprints”
An ACT ON CO2 toolkit is available which gives advice on how to run initiatives on local levels using collateral from the campaign such as the brand, posters and exhibition stands. To view, visit the toolkit.

Detect your Carbon Footprint

The Carbon Detective’s Kit is also available for students to help them understand some of the key issues related to climate change and sustainable development.

It is an online carbon footprint calculator for schools in England funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) that enables pupils to explore what can be done at an individual and school level to prevent the predicted significant impacts of rising temperatures.

Using the site, schools and students can evaluate the overall impact their school has on climate change and compare it to other schools.

They can also look at the areas of activity that contribute most to their school’s carbon footprint and see which improvements can make the greatest impact.

The Detective’s Kit, which can be found at www.carbondetectives.org.uk, is an ideal resource for empowering students and it can lead to behaviour changes that help both the planet and the economics of individual schools too.

Sustainable Schools

The Government would like every school in England to be a Sustainable School by 2020 and the DCSF is working with partners to provide resources and materials to help embed sustainable development into all areas of school life.

“Schools have a key role to play in educating young people about the importance of taking action now in order to reduce the impact of climate change on future generations.”

A wealth of resources are available at www.teachernet.gov.uk including lesson plans and learning materials, case studies on sustainable development activity in schools and information and guidance for school governors.

You can even download A Bursar’s Guide to Sustainable School Operation, and find top tips on how to save energy, water, waste and travel.

It’s Up to Us

The responsibility for tackling climate change rests with us all and schools have a key role to play in educating young people about the importance of taking action now in order to reduce the impact of climate change on future generations.

Schools themselves can become beacons of sustainability and students can play an active part in this. The ACT ON CO2 campaign shows what actions we can all take as individuals to reduce our carbon footprints.

If we all tread lightly and minimise our footprints our collective impact on the environment will be significantly reduced. In this way, we can all contribute to tackling climate change.

For more information on climate change please visit www.decc.gov.uk and to find out more about the sustainable schools initiative, visit www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools