Students: Their Voice Matters, and it’s Powerful

When students are at the heart of sustainability efforts, the impact runs deeper—shaping school culture and creating lasting change. Along the way, students grow as leaders, innovators, problem-solvers and change-makers.

      “Students have way more power than adults do in terms of getting change to happen on campuses. When I really want to have something get done, and the students care about it too, I will say, hey, you guys take the lead on this one, because it's very hard for leaders at campuses to say no to students, and it's much easier for them to say no to adults.” — Tori Fay, Sustainability Coordinator at Chadwick School (CA) (Read more here.)

      “When students present data to decision-makers, it has a certain weight. Even if the data is imperfect, the fact that it comes from students makes it hard to ignore.” — Frank Barros, Nightingale-Bamford School (NY) (Read more here.)

💡 Ideas for Student Leadership

• Communications and storytelling – Students can present in assemblies, write newsletter features, and highlight sustainability efforts or awareness days.

• Defining the school’s sustainability vision – Students can help articulate what a sustainable future looks like for their school by contributing ideas, priorities, and values that guide long-term goals.

• Collecting data – Students can conduct interviews, surveys and research to assess where your school is succeeding, and where it can improve.

• Crafting action plans – Students can develop step-by-step plans for improvement, set goals, and outline who needs to be involved.

• Drafting proposals – Students can write persuasive proposals for new projects or policy changes, building skills in research, writing, and advocacy.

#34: Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Reducing Scope 1 Emissions - At the Source

Scope 1 emissions are a substantial - and often the most controllable - part of a school’s carbon footprint. Reducing these emissions—by switching to electric systems, improving efficiency, or rethinking transportation—can significantly cut a school’s climate impact right at the source.

‘Scope 1 Emissions’ are direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by your school—usually (but not always) on-site. These emissions often come from equipment and systems you can see, hear, and touch, making them powerful teaching tools for students.

Common sources of Scope 1 Emissions:

• 🔥 Adding heating oil, propane, or natural gas to run boilers and furnaces

• 🍳 Refilling gas canisters for cooking appliances in the cafeteria

• 🌱 Fueling landscaping tools like gas-powered mowers or leaf blowers

• 🔥 Using natural gas for heating in boilers or furnaces

Tips for Reducing Your School’s Scope 1 Emissions

⇒ Conduct an Audit:

Assess sources of direct emissions sources so you can develop a roadmap for reduction opportunities. Did you know you can track Scope 1 Emissions in START Analytics! (image below)

⇒ Optimize Heating and Cooling Systems:

Implement smart controls, conduct regular maintenance, and optimize settings. (According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning the thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling bills!)

⇒ Create an Equipment Replacement Plan

Develop a strategy to replace aging, inefficient equipment with high-efficiency, electric alternatives. Greenwich Academy's systematic approach to equipment replacement has reduced their boiler emissions by 50% over five years.

Congratulations to these schools for launching their Whole School Sustainability journeys through START! See a map of our START schools here.

• St. Michaels University School, St. Andrew's School, Delaware USA

• The Potomac School, Virginia USA

Green Schools Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, created by schools, for schools, with a mission is to connect and empower schools worldwide to lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient future.

Ways to get involved:

1. Get your school to sign the Sustainability & Climate Leadership Commitment to join schools and districts who have already
   answered the call to action.

2. Join the Community for resources, best practices & a peer-to-peer network of school sustainability champions.

3. Use START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool to benchmark, plan, track and collaborate for Whole School Sustainability.