Amid the rise of deadly natural disasters due to climate change, schools are leading by example in taking a step towards saving and protecting the environment. Many schools and universities today are taking the initiative to reduce their carbon emissions, through “green policies” that give importance to sustainability.
Carbon neutrality in schools
A school becomes carbon-neutral when its input for energy, food, water, etc. becomes equal to or less than its output. In simpler terms, its carbon footprint is a “net-zero.”
In the United States, at least 10 colleges and universities have achieved carbon neutrality, including the American University (Washington, DC) and the University of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA). These schools gained carbon neutrality in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Many academic institutions endeavor to become carbon neutral, but it would take at least 20 years to achieve that. Committing to become carbon-neutral is a serious step because not only does it take time, it requires strategic planning and significant budget. The University of San Francisco, for instance, took 30 years to achieve this milestone. They were able to achieve this status by upgrading their heating and cooling systems, developing a carpooling culture, and using electric campus vehicles.
The United Nations Environment has been working with different universities across the globe to create national and regional Green Universities Networks. These networks are established to assist the institutions to incorporate low carbon-climate resilience development strategies as well as introduce sustainability in education and green principles in campus operations.
“Schools going carbon-neutral provides a great opportunity to demystify carbon neutrality for students and can give them a practical experience through inclusion in curricula and operations of the school,” said Niklas Hagelberg, UN Environment’s Climate Change Programme coordinator.
Carbon-neutral schools are a perfect example that while it is not that simple to reduce carbon emissions, it is still possible to achieve. Through smart planning, diligent use of green mechanisms and technology, and cooperation between members, it is possible to create a green and sustainable environment.
More importantly, if schools can make it, then government units and communities can also make it happen. And when everybody does their part to achieve this common goal, the future will be greener and safer for all of us.