LocatED yesterday brought together over one hundred leaders from education, sustainability, government, finance, construction and technology to discuss the potential to accelerate progress to net zero across the education estate. Delegates heard from LocatED’s five delivery partners who have conducted a feasibility study for the Net Zero Accelerator (NZA) – a scheme that aims to facilitate the rapid rollout of decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate at pace.

Across the course of the day-long event, delegates listened to speakers from the Department for Education (DfE) about the government’s ambitions for decarbonising the school estate to create a greener, resilient and net zero future for the education estate. The NZA feasibility study partners took to the main stage to talk about their exploring the potential to deliver decarbonisation efficiencies through innovative funding/delivery models across a collection of 50 schools, and to share their thoughts on how the programme might be delivered as a key pillar of the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.

Delegates also took part in four focused roundtables throughout the day, discussing and debating what the decarbonisation priorities and challenges are for estate leaders; how data can better inform decision-making; how to address the net zero challenge across the wider public estates; and the potential to facilitate the delivery of climate education and green skills  through the Net Zero Accelerator.

LocatED Chief Executive, Lara Newman at the event said:

“This summit was another exciting step for the Net Zero Accelerator. What began only last summer has already conducted a feasibility study and now galvanised multiple stakeholders from a variety of sectors who are keen to realise a decarbonised education estate. Indeed, the clear message from delegates today was a passionate plea to progress to meaningful action.”

The event, held at The Building Centre in Central London, also gave the opportunity for delegates to network with people from across a range of sectors, allowing new connections and to be made and sparking new conversations about the potential for future collaboration.

A driving force behind the delivery of NZA, Associate at LocatED, Paul Broadbent commented:

“The panel discussions and roundtables provided invaluable insights, tapping into the immense expertise of the delegates. The summit not only facilitated the exchange of ideas but also forged new connections among individuals driven by a shared passion for meaningful action towards achieving net zero. I’m delighted that the summit has not only broadened people’s networks but also holds the promise of inspiring further developments, propelling us closer to a greener, more resilient and net zero education estate.”

LocatED was commissioned last year by the DfE last year to deliver the Net Zero Accelerator. The concept of the programme is to create a ‘one stop shop’ to fund and deliver decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate through a new national service. This will provide responsible bodies, such as local authorities and multi-academy trusts, with a low burden service to address building condition and energy efficiency to help improve their estate including the delivery of decarbonisation interventions.