MBA Students Partner with Local Councils and Businesses to help London Schools become Energy Smart

London, 8^th November 2012-  Businesses, educators, schools, policy makers and civil societies will gather in London today to mark the launch of an energy efficiency schools pilot conducted by a team of MBA students from the University of East Anglia’ s Strategic Carbon Management MBA based in London.

Carbon War Room, ARUP, Carbon Leap Frog, Carbon Trust, Ardenham Energy will be amongst of the speakers at an event in London’s Toynbee Hall.

The pilot titled “Green School Giving” aims to generate sponsorship from the private sector to fund energy efficiency improvement projects in schools. The objective is to provide opportunities for businesses to demonstrate their corporate citizenship through a value-added initiative that combines an economically sound social investment with fast action on climate change.

The team has received considerable interest from businesses interested in demonstrating their corporate citizenship through this initiative. We are pleased to announce that Standard Chartered Bank has stepped forward as a lead sponsor for the pilot initiative, offering funding for school energy saving projects to help ease budget constraints.

At tonight’s event, speakers will discuss whether smart partnerships with London’s Corporate Community offers an opportunity to help schools to deliver a high quality low carbon learning environment, keep energy bills down, and meet our collective commitments to reduce C02 emission.

Sean Keating from the UEA team explained:   

“Our MBA team all share a real desire to find innovative solutions to help define a path to a sustainable future. By greening our schools we intervene in the heart of our communities making sure our squeezed school budgets can be deployed for educational essentials.  We are very pleased to be partnering with Merton Council for what we hope to be an innovative and ongoing discussion into how we can fund a low carbon future for our children.”

University of East Anglia’s Strategic Carbon Management MBA is the first of its kind globally, focusing on carbon and climate change management for businesses. The course leader, Dr Gideon Middleton, said:

“While recognizing the importance of delivering low carbon infrastructure and buildings in the Capital, we must make sure education on climate change is complemented by learning facilities that reflect and enable children to become sustainable citizens early on. At UEA we opt to challenge our MBA students to undertake consultancy work instead of writing final dissertation. We are proud our students have risen to the occasion, contributing to society with real solutions. The MBA students have done a great job.  Low-carbon schools deliver many benefits for children, society and the environment, whilst helping to cut costs as well. ”

To deliver the concept the UEA MBA team have partnered with the London Borough of Merton, where schools will be the beneficiaries of any funds raised. 

Merton Council, known for its innovative and forward thinking initiatives is pleased to be the pioneer in such partnerships with business schools in the City, partnerships that can deliver concrete and valuable solutions in these austere times, when budgets are being slashed.

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge highlighted:

“Tackling climate change on a local level, as well as a national level, has long been one of Merton Council's priorities.  So often, environmental sense makes economic sense, and in these financially difficult times being environmentally conscientious is financially beneficial.  This project will help our schools save energy.  It will also build on our solar PV programme, which has already seen panels going up on school roofs, harnessing renewable energy to help power the buildings. If we can use this project to educate our children about practical ways to save energy, it will stand them in good stead for a green future."

Carbon Trust estimates UK
 schools
 currently
 run
 a
 total
 annual
 energy
 bill
 of
 £543
 million
, a
 quarter
 of
 this
 (£135m) could
 be
 saved
 through
 simple
 cost
 effective
 energy
 efficiency
 measures. 


For further information on Green School Giving visit:  http://www.tjk.uk.com/greenschoolgiving