The Need
How can we understand the impact that we are having on the environment? Promoting awareness and capacity on climate change issues can help change behaviour.
How we helped
We worked in twelve New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) schools to reduce the carbon footprint and develop a model for calculating carbon foot print based on the functions of the school.
Baseline surveys were conducted on six carbon intensive areas (energy, water, waste, transportation, building and food) with the help of NDMC authorities, school staff and their eco clubs.
Carbon footprints and per capita carbon emission of each school were then calculated with the help of global tools and emission factors.
Using this model, school-specific interventions were proposed around solar energy, water purification and solid waste management. Each proposal was accompanied with a calculation of how much their carbon footprint would reduce.
This intervention now requires to be disseminated more broadly at the school level.
School authorities and eco club in-charges have shown keen interest to integrate proposed solutions as part of their club activities. These activities have a gradation system which gets calculated in their final results. No such tool was available for Indian schools so far. It’s a first step towards carbon neutral schools!
A pilot programme of an aerobic compost pit was set up in one of the schools. This is an extremely low maintenance technique that allows decomposition of organic waste into manure. It was an attempt to showcase and advocate zero waste management in schools!