Published: Wednesday 16 November 2022
Schools in Kensington and Chelsea are going green thanks to an £8m transformation that will see them retrofit with state-of-the-art energy saving measures.
Works are taking place on a total of 32 community and denominational schools around the borough, including Council-supported state schools and diocese-funded schools.
From low carbon heating systems such as air source heat pumps to double glazing, insulation, and solar panels, the schools will be warmer for students and more energy efficient. If the schools reduce their emissions to zero, the works are estimated to save around 2.2 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
The investment to make schools greener is part of a £14m commitment to make all Council buildings and sites carbon neutral by 2030 following a climate emergency being declared in 2019. The Council has set an ambition for the whole borough to be carbon neutral by 2040.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for planning, place and environment, said: “Buildings across Kensington and Chelsea emit 80% of the borough’s carbon emissions. To help tackle these, we’re starting with making our own buildings greener, including our schools.
“We are investing in the energy efficiency of our school buildings to keep our children and staff warm. It will result in cheaper energy bills, saving our schools money during this difficult time of rising costs, and for years to come.”
Kensington and Chelsea is home to some of London’s most revered architecture, including a number of buildings that are listed, but its schools and buildings make up nearly 30 per cent of its carbon emissions. By retrofitting these historic buildings with energy saving measures, the Council is ensuring well-loved schools can continue educating generations of local people well into the future.
Jagdeep Birdi, Headteacher of Colville Primary School, said:
“These upgrade works will make the school a quieter and more comfortable place for children to learn. They’ll save us money on our energy bills, reduce our carbon usage, and set an example to our pupils on how important it is to care for the environment.”