The pilot, which launched in December 2024, invited London boroughs to apply for £2.9 million in funding. The response was overwhelming, leading to an additional £9.6 million in investment from the boroughs themselves
In a move towards sustainable education, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the first beneficiaries of his Greener Schools pilot scheme. This ambitious initiative aims to help schools reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions, enabling them to allocate more funds towards educational resources.
The pilot, launched in December 2024, invited London boroughs to apply for £2.9 million in funding. The response was overwhelming, leading to an additional £9.6 million in investment from the boroughs themselves. This collaborative effort means that 38 schools across 16 London boroughs will now receive an average of over £77,000 each to implement energy-saving measures.
Mayor Khan expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I am delighted to announce the first schools across the capital to benefit from my new Greener Schools initiative. This investment will help schools reduce their energy costs so they can spend more on vital resources such as books, technology, and staff. It will also cut carbon emissions, helping schools play their part in tackling air pollution in the capital.”
The funding will support a wide range of energy-saving measures, including insulation, LED lighting, solar panels, and heat pumps. Additionally, it will fund climate engagement activities, such as school-wide sustainability projects and water conservation initiatives. These measures are designed to empower the next generation of climate change leaders.
Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, highlighted the positive response from boroughs and schools, noting, “Their collaborative approach has allowed us to unlock further funding, meaning that more schools and pupils will benefit from this important programme.”
The Greener Schools pilot has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh. She commented, “Too many schools have been saddled with sky-high energy bills, driven by the UK’s dependence on global fossil fuel markets. It is fantastic to see these awards from the Mayor’s Greener Schools pilot, with new energy-saving measures set to put more money back into classrooms across London.”
The pilot’s potential impact is substantial. If all of London’s schools were to adopt similar energy-saving interventions, it could save over £50 million annually from the education budget. This scalability means the pilot could be rolled out nationally, benefiting schools and children across the country.
The initiative has also inspired aspects of the Government’s Great British Energy project, which aims to install rooftop solar panels on 200 schools and 200 hospitals. This project, launched last month, follows the same goal of reducing energy bills and promoting sustainability.
Schools participating in the pilot are excited about the opportunities it presents. Helen Bruckdorfer, Executive Headteacher at Brecknock and Torriano Federation, said, “We are thrilled to have received grant funding from the Greener Schools Pilot. This funding will help us enhance energy efficiency and implement solutions, such as solar PV and LED lighting. This initiative is a significant step toward a greener, more sustainable future for our community.”
Rachel Carli, Headteacher at Durants School, echoed this sentiment, stating, “As an Eco School, we are committed to supporting the health of our planet. The Greener Schools Pilot funding will play a pivotal role in advancing our climate action goals.”
Local authorities are also supportive of the initiative. Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, and Climate Action, said, “This funding will not only unlock significant environmental benefits but will also create opportunities to reinvest savings from energy bills into the classroom. This is an excellent example of climate action in practice.”
Abdul Abdullahi, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Enfield Council, added, “The Mayor’s Greener Schools Grant is a step towards achieving the Council’s strategic objectives on sustainability and ambitions of the Climate Action Plan. We are pleased to be one of the authorities selected for this pilot programme.”
RAFT (Retrofit Action for Tomorrow) has been appointed as the pilot’s strategic partner. They will support boroughs and schools in delivering outreach and community engagement activities, ensuring the pilot’s success.
The Greener Schools pilot is a vital step in delivering the Mayor’s broader climate plan. This plan includes initiatives such as delivering a 100% zero-emission bus fleet in London, providing more than 40,000 new public bike parking spaces, and more than doubling the number of electric vehicle charging points to 40,000 by 2030.
The pilot builds on existing Mayoral schemes aimed at helping schools go green, such as the Climate Kick-Start Prize, Climate Resilient Schools, and Future Neighbourhoods 2030. These initiatives collectively contribute to a greener and fairer London, setting an example for other cities and countries to follow.
As the pilot progresses, it is expected to have a lasting impact on the participating schools and their communities. By reducing energy costs and promoting sustainability, the Greener Schools initiative is paving the way for a more sustainable future for London’s children and beyond.
