UK schools secure billions in public-private financing for energy efficiency

The Green Finance Institute and climate charity Ashden have launched a new Let’s Go Zero Innovative Finance Project. 

The fund will accelerate the rollout of climate solutions at schools across Britain, with a focus on sustainable energy and development. 

Public and private finance, policymakers and supply chain delivery partners are all involved, uniting key decisionmakers to expedite and drive new solutions to funding school site transition and develop new finance routes. Retrofitting estates will be a priority of the scheme according to Green Finance Institute [GFI] and Ashden.

‘The importance of decarbonising the UK’s school environments to meet national net zero targets cannot be overstated,’ said Miles Ashton, Local Green Investment Lead at the GFI. ‘By financing the energy efficiency of school estates up and down the country, we can reach our net zero goals, reduce energy expenditure for the public sector, and unlock billions in energy efficiency projects, harnessing the opportunity to create a better learning environment for future generations.’

Currently, schools contribute around 37% of total public sector building emissions in the UK, making this area a net zero priority for the government and Department for Education. 

‘We are delighted to launch this partnership with the GFI at a pivotal moment for the UK’s net zero story. Schools have the potential to be the beacons of what is possible, leading the zero-carbon charge in our communities ,’ added Donald Brown, Director of UK Programmes at Ashden.

‘However, the current funding allocation lags well behind what is needed. The GFI are the leading thinkers on how this financing challenge can be overcome, and we are confident that this partnership gets us closer to real and scalable financing solutions for decarbonising the schools’ estate,’ he continued.

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Image: Herne Bay Junior School, Kent (C) Ashden / Green Finance Institute