Secondary Schools - Join the Schools Carbon Trading Project

As part of their commitment to helping schools reduce their energy bills, the Northamptonshire County Councils Energy & Carbon Management Team is facilitating a combination of behavioural change, energy efficiency measures and renewable energy schemes through participation in the Schools Carbon Trading Project.

The Project is the first and only real-life, real-time, web-based carbon trading competition for schools, which aims to engage and enable young people to excel in their studies and future careers by developing skills in numeracy, business and enterprise, and teamwork. They also hope to instill a sense of healthy competition, helping the county’s young people take pride in themselves and the contribution they make to their school.

Following the success of the Phase 1 Pilot over the past academic year, and EU funding support through the ERDF, the scheme is now being extended to every secondary school in the county. You can read more about the Project at www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/lowcarbon.

Participation in the competition is free and upon registration your school will be entitled to:

•  Exclusive access to the live trading platform;
• Use of online educational resources enabling pupils to learn about and implement practical energy solutions, and track the quantitative savings in carbon and cash;
• A visit from the Schools Carbon Reduction Officer to help you get set up;
• A complimentary copy of our carbon trading game;
• Promotional material, including a Woodland Trust tree pack for schools to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; and
• The chance to win thousands of pounds worth of renewable energy technology from Travis Perkins; a work experience placement for a star student at a top firm; cash prizes for ‘top traders’ and most improved players; class trips to BRE’s Building Research Centre, and more.

This phase of the Project will run from February until October.  You can register your interest at www.schoolscarbontrading.co.uk. Please nominate a teacher to register your school, as well as to act as a point of contact for the competition and assume overall responsibility for pupils’ activities. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the team at carbontrading@northamptonshire.gov.uk and a member of the team will get back to you.