Reducing the greenhouse gases (GHGs) that your school emits is a vital step toward combating climate change and building a sustainable future. This START metric focuses on decreasing emissions by prioritizing energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy strategies. Schools can significantly reduce their carbon footprint by addressing key contributors to emissions, such as electricity and heating, transportation, and waste.
The urgency of this work is clear: the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights that to limit global warming to 1.5°C, global GHG emissions must be halved by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. In the U.S., buildings account for nearly 30% of all GHG emissions (US EPA). Schools, as hubs of learning and community engagement, are uniquely positioned to lead by example, demonstrating how strategic actions can reduce emissions while saving costs and educating the next generation of climate leaders.
Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.
Improve Energy Efficiency
Conduct an energy audit to identify inefficiencies in lighting, heating, cooling, and appliances.
Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting (e.g., LEDs) and install programmable thermostats.
Seal windows, doors, and ductwork to minimize energy loss.
Adopt Energy Conservation Practices
Establish policies to power down equipment and lights when not in use.
Implement no-energy days or energy conservation challenges to engage the school community.
Educate students and staff on simple actions like unplugging devices and using natural light.
Transition to Renewable Energy
Install solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy systems on campus.
Purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset emissions from non-renewable energy sources.
Explore partnerships with local renewable energy providers to source clean power.
Optimize Transportation Practices
Encourage walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transportation for students and staff.
Transition school buses to electric or hybrid models.
Reduce the frequency of long-distance travel for field trips or events and explore virtual alternatives.
Reduce Food-Related Emissions
Offer more plant-based options in school meals to reduce emissions from meat and dairy.
Implement a food waste reduction program to minimize methane emissions from organic waste.
Integrate Sustainable Building Design
Retrofit buildings with energy-efficient materials, such as insulated windows or reflective roofs.
Include passive design strategies like natural ventilation and daylighting in new construction projects.
Use carbon-sequestering materials like timber or recycled products in renovations.
Engage the School Community
Create an energy reduction task force with students, staff, and administrators.
Include emissions reduction activities in curriculum and extracurricular programs.
Host workshops or events to raise awareness about GHG emissions and climate solutions.
Incorporate Smart Technology
Install smart meters to track and optimize energy usage in real-time.
Use occupancy sensors to automatically adjust lighting and HVAC systems based on room usage.
Encourage Reuse and Recycling
Expand recycling programs to reduce waste emissions.
Promote the use of reusable items like water bottles, utensils, and containers to decrease the demand for single-use plastics.
Monitor and Set Goals
Regularly measure progress in emissions reduction to ensure accountability.
Set realistic short- and long-term goals for emissions reduction, such as a 20% decrease over five years.
Invest in Carbon Sequestration Projects
Plant trees or establish green spaces on campus to absorb carbon dioxide.
Explore innovative options like biochar or soil carbon sequestration in landscaping.
‘How To’ Guides
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Behavior-Based Strategies for Energy Conservation
From US Center for Green Schools, a toolkit for behavior-based strategies for energy conservation, using case studies and providing steps to create your own energy conservation initiative.
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Guide for GHG Reduction Programs
From the EPA, a guide to developing & implementing GHG reduction strategies in K-12 schools, including strategies, case studies and additional resources.
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Decarbonization Roadmap Guide
From the New Buildings Institute, a guide for school building decision makers at US school districts that includes an interactive Roadmap Planner, customizable templates and recommended actions.
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Climate TRACE: Emissions Inventory Database
From Subject to Climate, this resource provides an inventory of CO2 equivalents from various economic sectors.
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Understanding Indoor Air Pollution
Students should be able to identify major indoor air pollutants and understand their impact on human health.
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Air Quality Experiment Activities
10 air quality experiments and activities for home and school.
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Conducting a School Air Quality Check
Students can extend their understanding of sources of particle pollution and their health impacts through Airnow’s Particle Pollution Game.
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Build a Particle Sensor
Educators at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) created a set of instructions for a build-your-own particle sensor inspired by EPA's air sensor kit. The lesson introduces middle school students to engineering and air quality concepts.
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Decarbonization: A Complex Problem
This Kurzgesagt animated informational video dives into the complex and interconnected issues related to decarbonization.
U.S. School District Resources
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Examples of Carbon Neutral School District Resolutions
From the New Buildings Institute, examples of formal district resolutions from across the US.
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District Energy & Carbon Design Checklist
From the New Buildings Institute, a customizable checklist that outlines a series of critical energy and carbon considerations during design and construction.
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Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.
They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.
Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.
But how do we get there?
START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.
START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:
It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.
However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.
Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.
How sustainable is our school now?
Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?
What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.
START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.
It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.
Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.
Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.
Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.
Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.