Encraft sponsors winners of schools carbon trading scheme

Congratulations to Duston School in Northampton, who won Encraft's-sponsored prize for the most carbon saved by any school in Northamptonshire last year. Duston pupils saved the school over £12,000 a year on its energy bills through simple measures like turning down thermostats and switching off lights when not required.

The project was piloted at six schools last year and between them they have saved 145 tonnes of CO2 and almost £20,000 off their combined energy bills. The scheme works by emulating the carbon trading system recently introduced into the business world, with a school's energy allowance capped at 90 per cent of the previous year's emissions and a website to buy and sell carbon allowances to cover each school's emissions during the trading year.

Encraft's Managing Director, Matthew Rhodes, along with Councillor Ben Smith, Environment Portfolio Holder from Northamptonshire County Council, presented pupils from Duston with their prize of three EcoStyle Renewable Energy Kits to explore different forms of renewable energy donated by Encraft.

Encraft, in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council, have an ongoing programme in Northamptonshire Schools to identify economic energy saving opportunities which are funded through the national Salix loan scheme. To date more than £800,000 of short-term money-saving projects have been financed in Northamptonshire schools through this programme.

Speaking after the presentation, Matthew said, 'I have been thoroughly impressed by the pupils from Duston I've met today. They are clearly ambitious and determined to succeed, and I'm sure they will all go on to great things. I'm delighted we decided to sponsor this award, and have come away from today inspired by what's being achieved in this school at many levels.