1,105 students write to Rishi Sunak calling for Green Recovery for Education

Over 1,000 students have signed a letter delivered today to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, stating the case to retrofit the education estate to net-zero as part of our ongoing educational reform campaign.

We are calling on the government to make substantial investments into the UK education estate by retrofitting it to a net-zero standard through fiscal stimulus and in line with the net-zero by 2050 commitment. We want the government to ensure that all new state-funded educational buildings are net-zero from 2022 and all existing state-funded educational buildings are retrofitted to net-zero by 2030.

Sophie Price, 16, Godolphin and Latymer School, London:

“During the election, the Conservatives committed to 'levelling up' the country. Investing in retrofitting all education buildings to net-zero emissions will create tens of thousands of green jobs, ensure investment is spread across the country, help stimulate the UK economy, reduce the UK's carbon emissions, and inspire students to live more sustainably - helping fulfil this manifesto promise. We look forward to being invited by Mr Sunak to discuss this matter further.”

Zamzam Ibrahim, 26, President of the National Union of Students said:

“Young people have suffered some of the greatest impacts from this lockdown, with our educational and career prospects put at risk. The government should do the right thing and make sure that post-COVID investment doesn’t leave us behind but instead improves our education.”

Isabella Bridgham, 15, Cockermouth School in Cumbria:

“It is essential that we use this rebuilding of our economy as an opportunity for a green recovery for our education. Using fiscal stimulus to retrofit all of our education buildings will not only reduce our carbon emissions but will also create thousands of jobs and help stimulate the economy. We need to act quickly to avert the climate crisis, and so it’s imperative that we take this opportunity to change our education, our economy, and our environment for the better.”

Letter to Rishi Sunak below:

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You can find out more about our Green Recovery for Education here.

Read the press release here.

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