Mayor launches ambitious new Greener Schools programme which could help London schools save £18,000 each year on their energy bills

• The Mayor’s new Greener Schools pilot will benefit children across the capital, potentially helping schools save up to £18,000 on their energy bills
• This innovative programme is a key part of Sadiq’s commitment to help schools in London reduce their carbon emissions and save money 
• London boroughs invited to apply for part of £2 million of pilot funding to help them become more energy efficient
• The new funding could be spent on measures such as insulation, solar panels or heat pumps

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today launched his Greener Schools pilot, set up to help schools spend less on their energy bills and more on children’s education. 

The new initiative is part of the Sadiq’s manifesto commitment to help schools in London reduce their carbon emissions and save money, during a cost-of-living crisis. 

London boroughs are being invited to apply for part of £2 million of funding available to help schools become more energy efficient and resilient to the impacts of climate change. The funding will be used for a range of interventions, including insulation, solar panels and heat pumps - while also funding climate engagement activities.

Recent analysis has shown that schools that invest in measures such as insulation, solar panels and heat pumps could save up to £18,000* each on energy bills.

The pilot will be scalable and could be rolled out nationally to benefit more children and schools across the country, helping to deliver the Government’s clean power. If all of London’s schools were to use energy saving interventions, this could save over £50 million annually from the education budget. 

This pilot is a vital step in delivering the Mayor’s climate plan which includes 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 all by 2030. The innovative pilot also builds on Mayoral schemes already helping schools go green, such as the Climate Kick-Start Prize, Climate Resilient Schools and Future Neighbourhoods 2030.  

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to be launching our new Greener Schools initiative, which will help schools reduce their carbon emissions and bring down energy costs.

“It could be a real game changer, allowing schools to spend more on vital resources such as books, new technology and more staff such as teaching assistants.

“I want to encourage all boroughs to apply for the scheme, which could not only reduce schools’ energy bills but also empower the next generation of climate change leaders in our communities.”

“I am determined to do everything I can to make sure the capital achieves net zero and ensure a just transition for all Londoners, as we build a greener and fairer city for everyone.”

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban, said: “This brilliant new scheme from the Mayor will ease stretched education budgets and shows how reaching net zero is an opportunity to save money and rebuild our school networks.

“I’m excited to partner with boroughs as we work together to ensure the next generation of Londoners will see their schools benefit and open up opportunities.”

Dr Afsheen Kabir Rashid (Hon) MBE Chief Executive Officer, Repowering London, said: “We welcome the Mayor’s ambition for the Greener Schools programme and the opportunity to collaborate with London Boroughs to support schools to decarbonise and reduce their energy costs. 

“Community energy organisations like Repowering London play an important role in involving local people in the development process from design to implementation. This includes ensuring that the voice of young people, our future climate leaders, is heard. Our model of shared, local energy ownership keeps benefits in the community bringing reduced bills, green jobs, training and community funds.”

Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero, Ashden Climate Solutions said: “It’s tremendously pleasing to see the Mayor of London’s first steps in the Greener Schools Programme kicking off with this exciting new pilot, offering a much needed £2 million of funding for school retrofits. We look forward to sharing this programme with our Let’s Go Zero schools in London.

“Not only will this programme help schools reduce their carbon emissions, but it will save money on their energy bills which can be directed at teaching. And because schools are at the heart of our communities it will help engage local people on the choices they can make to lead greener lives.

“This pilot will bring new insights on the best ways to retrofit and decarbonise schools - enabling the future scale up needed for all schools to be zero carbon - and we look forward to seeing it grow in the future.”

Syed Ahmed, Chair of Community Energy London, said: "London's community energy sector has been actively working with schools supporting the installation of renewable and energy efficiency measures to help reduce their energy bills and provide opportunities for kids and communities to better understand the benefits these technologies can bring.

“The Mayor's new Greener Schools initiative will not only boost greater collaboration between community energy groups and schools, but also create new local job, training and investment opportunities in the clean energy sector." 

Headteacher said: “The Mayor’s Greener Schools initiative is vital for all schools and provides the blueprint that will lead to less spending on energy bills, and more investment in children’s education.

“At our school, we feel that it reinforces to pupils the importance of sustainability, as we work to inspire the next generation of climate change leaders.”