RP3020e1: Influencing change through a low carbon schools community program

_{CRCLCL Project Reports}

RP3020e1: Report: Influencing change through a low carbon schools community program

This research examines the delivery methods and analyses the results from the Low Carbon Schools pilot program.  

The main objectives of the research were to: 

1. Measure the extent of carbon reductions that can be achieved in schools using a structured and data-driven process and ;
2. Analyse the types of initiatives implemented;
3. Determine the extent to which schools are able to engage with, influence, and affect change within their local communities, specifically around decarbonisation.
4. Examine lessons learned, including aspects of the program that worked well and what could be improved.

The following report provides an overview of the participants and how they were recruited, the structure of the program, including the different phases and the activities that were conducted with the schools to assist them in their process of reducing their carbon footprint. This is followed by the results, challenges experienced and recommendations for overcoming these. The report concludes with recommendations for future research.

Influencing change through a low carbon schools community program (2118705 PDF)

RP3020: Report: Carbon Tools & Frameworks for Institutional Precincts Stage 1: Low Carbon, High Performance Schools

The following report presents the results of research conducted on how to best deliver low carbon, high performance schools in the Australian context.

The term ‘high performance’ was used to reflect the increased performance in both the buildings and physical infrastructure of schools that pursue sustainability, as well as improved academic performance due to the increased health and productivity benefits associated with better buildings and facilities.

The research included a literature review, two workshops and a survey with teachers and other stakeholders affiliated with schools. The report addresses the following areas:

• Key benefits and opportunities for schools to improve their overall performance by pursuing carbon reduction;
• Key issues, challenges and problems facing schools attempting to reduce their emissions, and what additional processes, resources and assistance schools need to help them actively measure, monitor and reduce their carbon footprint;
• Opportunities to develop carbon performance benchmarks and targets for schools;
• Identification and categorisation of the existing school sustainability programs in Australia, with a primary focus on carbon;
• Evaluation of the tools in terms of their ability to quantitatively assess and reduce emissions at the school level;
• Identification of pathways to create a standardised framework and system for schools seeking carbon neutrality.

The report is written for anybody working with schools, including teachers, admin and school support staff, Education Departments, academics, professionals, parents and the general public. The report aims to highlight the multiple reasons for pursuing carbon reduction, and provide some ideas and incentives to encourage greater uptake.

RP3020 Stage 1 report : Low Carbon, High Performance Schools (5589270 PDF)