Zero-carbon will depend on how schools are used, says Task GroupAugust 2009

The Government's Zero Carbon Task Force has warned that the success of the Government's plan for zero-carbon schools will hinge on how they are used.

The role of the Task Force, set up by education secretary Ed Balls, is to advise on actions to move from a 60 per cent reduction in carbon use to zero carbon.

"None of the targets will be achieved unless there is a commitment to delivering carbon reduction among school building users," says an interim report.

The report calls for a series of workstreams:

• Immediate support for all schools to reduce energy use and eliminate energy waste
• The reduction of energy use of ICT, and to exploit ICT to monitor energy use
• Better ways of gathering information on schools' energy use and using it to reduce carbon emissions
• A change to the design, construction, procurement, funding and operation of school buildings to reduce carbon emissions
• Development of integrated neighbourhood energy and heat networks.