Daily school run found to be biggest source of school carbon emissions
A charity's groundbreaking report highlights areas for carbon reduction
The daily school run is the largest contributor to carbon emissions from schools, surpassing heating and electricity use, according to a first-of-its-kind study conducted by charity Keep Britain Tidy and its Eco-Schools programme.
Using data collected from 1,600 primary and secondary schools across England during the 2024/25 academic year, the report reveals that transport accounts for 40 percent of an average school’s carbon footprint.
Pupils commuting alone represent 21 percent of the total emissions, staff commuting accounts for an additional 12 percent, and school trips and vehicles contribute further. Together, these figures significantly outweigh the 27 percent emissions generated by heating and powering school buildings.
Calls for action
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, is urging schools to reconsider their sustainability priorities, shifting away from focusing solely on recycling efforts.
“Schools often prioritise recycling, but to meaningfully address climate change they must focus more on transport, energy use and purchasing decisions,” Ogden-Newton said.
The study also found that 42 percent of students travel to school by car, emphasizing the need to promote more active and environmentally friendly commuting options.
Recommendations from Keep Britain Tidy and Eco-Schools include installing bike storage, rewarding walking or cycling, and encouraging staff carpooling. The report also suggests a switch to renewable energy contracts and offering more plant-based food options for school dinners, as hot meals are another notable emissions contributor, accounting for 16 percent.
Striving for net zero
The Government has set a national goal for the UK to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In line with this target, schools are required to have a climate action plan by 2025, outlining strategies to reduce their emissions.
Schools must also designate a staff member responsible for sustainability efforts.
The findings highlight disparities between primary and secondary schools, with primary schools on average emitting five times less carbon than secondary schools. Primary schools made up most of the study sample (79 percent), with 19 percent being secondaries and the remainder classified as all-through schools.
The research is part of the Count Your Carbon project, a drive to better understand and address carbon emissions in educational institutions. Keep Britain Tidy hopes that their recommendations will help schools create impactful changes that contribute to the UK’s broader climate goals.
As schools now face the challenge of balancing their environmental responsibilities with everyday operations, the charity’s detailed analysis provides a blueprint for developing more sustainable practices.