Lord Wandsworth Leaderboard ad 23 Nov 23

Canford's commitment to reducing it's environmental impact

Published by Canford School on Thursday 10th of November 2022

At the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference (COP27), taking place from 6th - 18th November 2022, countries come together to take action towards achieving the world's collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and the Convention. Building on the outcomes and momentum of COP26 in Glasgow last year, nations are expected to demonstrate at COP27 that they are in a new era of implementation by turning their commitments to the Paris Agreement into action. 

Energy and carbon performance is an area which receives an ever-increasing focus at Canford. As part of an ongoing strategy to reduce the School's environmental impact several steps have been taken during the past year to improve the environmental performance of the School.

Toby White, Canford's Estates Maintenance Manager explains some of the recent developments that have taken place:    

"Several steps have already been taken during the past year to improve Canford's environmental performance. This includes a continued roll-out of LED lighting throughout the School with the aim to be fully LED in the coming years; almost all of the School's electricity is from renewable sources. Continued gas-saving measures have been and continue to be investigated also. Recent investment in a fully electric school bus, porters’ van and dedicated electric vehicle charging points has helped Canford reduce local air pollution and promote electric vehicle use. The photovoltaic array on the John Lever Building, one of the main teaching blocks, continues to send energy back to the grid, as it has been for the last ten years. Additionally, following a strong case made by pupils, a contract was agreed with a local company to collect all food waste and convert it to biomethane for energy generation. These efforts resulted in the School maintaining Silver status under the Eco-Schools programme.

The efficient use of gas has become a significant area for investigation in recent months for all businesses and homeowners. Canford has been no different and is currently looking into short-term and longer-term technologies and methods to reduce our dependence on gas. At a strategic level, an experienced renewable energy systems consultant has been tasked to review certain buildings, with the aim to take energy from natural sources and convert it for use. In the short term, areas for gas reduction have also been reviewed, and measures implemented. These include reviewing heating and hot water provision and adjusting, installing shower flow restrictors, increasing building insulation, upgrading existing building heating control systems, to name a few.

For all Canford's capital projects, early consideration is given to heat generation options, including the investigation of low and zero-carbon technologies. Each option is evaluated on its likely reduction of carbon emissions, along with the practicalities of the location, likely impact on the setting and surrounding grounds, along with technical and cost considerations. The new Boarding Houses have a building management system to optimise hot water heating efficiencies and ventilation will either be natural or use high-efficiency plate heat exchangers, where required. All lighting will be based on low energy LED technology, with daylight and motion sensors. The recently commissioned Library has a similar LED lighting system and is designed to have a high air-tightness rating along with a high-efficiency heating system."
Canford's commitment to reducing it's environmental impact - Photo 1Canford's commitment to reducing it's environmental impact - Photo 2Canford's commitment to reducing it's environmental impact - Photo 3
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