The idea
Schools are required to be delivering sustainability education; young people have anxieties about it and want to know more.
Schools in Halton are struggling to deliver on this goal, one of the most important if we want young people to form sustainable habits and make choices for the environment's benefit. This pilot will develop education resources to be shared across the borough and wider; engage young people in modern and real-world thinking about sustainability and take action in their schools and communities.
At the core they will learn about a wide range of issues through the Eco-Pioneers programme and use that knowledge to tackle energy, waste and biodiversity challenges they feel are important.
Here we are looking for support for the energy segment: an opportunity for schools to truly understand their usage, its impact and the potential to use less or and/or source it from renewable sources.
What we'll deliver
- Deliver Eco Pioneers sustainability education to at least 700 young people
- Educate 700 young people about energy sources and usage
- Create energy saving projects in school including smart technology, power-downs and renewables.
- Aim to reduce energy usage by at least 10% across all institutions
- Wherever possible, support schools to introduce renewable alternatives to reduce climate change impact
Why it's a great idea
This programme is based on real-world practice and helps young people to put sustainability education into action. There are three interlinked benefits.
1. Sustainability and climate change knowledge: The Eco Pioneers pilot in 2023 demonstrated that 99% of students increased understanding of climate change.
2. Skills: Eco Pioneers is a Skills Builder Level 3 accredited programme, with students developing communication, teamwork, problem solving and creativity skills. In the recent pilot, 91% of students said their presentation skills had increased and 88% said their ability to develop an idea had increased.
3. School energy use: By focusing on energy reduction, students will support the school to reduce their energy usage, saving money and reducing emissions. We use resources from external organisations such as National Energy Action and Lets Go Zero.
Furthermore, the programme will spark interest in potential future green careers and gives inspiration to take social action.
Steps to get it done
- By end March 2025: Deliver Eco-Pioneers project to 700 students in Halton
- By end March 2025: Engage 700 pupils in the energy saving project
- Aim to reduce energy usage in schools by 10% minimum
