All new schools and colleges to be net zero
ALL new school and college buildings, major refurbishment and extension projects in Wales must operate at net zero from January 2022.
Education Minister Jeremy Miles said the new rules will help address climate change.
The new £5m Llancarfan Primary in the Vale of Glamorgan will be the first net zero carbon school in Wales, with its own on-site power generation and battery storage.
Under the new rules all new school and college buildings will also be required to cut the amount of carbon emitted through construction by 20%, with further reductions required in future.
New proposed buildings will also include plans for biodiversity and electric vehicle charging points.
Announcing the plans, Mr Miles said: “At the heart of our new curriculum is our aim to support learners to become ethical, informed citizens, who are committed to the sustainability of the planet. It’s essential we set an example to young people if we are to realise this ambition.”
Cllr Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan council and Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “We are incredibly proud to be opening Wales’ first net zero school here in the Vale.
“Climate change is a huge challenge globally, and one that we all must take action to address.
“Having declared a climate emergency in 2019, we have since put in place Project Zero, our plan for the council to become carbon neutral by 2030. This building represents a significant step towards achieving our vision.
“It has been designed not only to provide a building that reduces our carbon output but one that will provide a first class learning environment in which future generations can learn how to reduce theirs.”
The new Net Zero Carbon requirement will become part of the of Welsh Government’s 1st Century Schools and Colleges programme.
From January 1 2022, the programme will be known as Sustainable Communities for Learning.