The Department has adopted “BREEAM Schools”, an adaptation of an internationally recognised environmental assessment method. It is a specific requirement that new school buildings and refurbishment projects above a threshold achieve a BREEAM rating of “very good” or better. This provides a strong incentive for design teams to consider options to reduce carbon emissions through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems.
In addition, grant funding for microgeneration technologies, including solar thermal panels, is available to schools via the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme.