The CLEAR Eco Centre

Hamstreet Primary School in Kent is home to The CLEAR Eco Centre, a new environmental centre where local people can access information and resources to help them reduce their carbon emissions.

As the centre develops, it will also act as a showcase for renewable energy technologies. The project is being led by a group of parents and local parish councillors.

"We want as many people as possible from local parishes to visit the centre and start taking steps towards reducing their energy use," says project manager Peter Fasulo. "The primary school is at the heart of the initiative, with pupils taking on the role of educating their parents and the wider community about carbon reduction."

Calculating carbon emissions

Around 300 pupils have been asked to complete the government's Act on CO2 calculator to measure their current household carbon emissions. People in the local community are also being encouraged to complete the carbon calculator and the project team is working with the Kent Energy Centre to measure emissions from public buildings such as church halls.

"Completing the Act on CO2 calculator generates an action plan explaining how to reduce your carbon emissions," explains Peter. "We'll be working closely with 50 households to help them implement their personal action plans and monitor their progress over the coming months."

The project team is developing a range of incentives to encourage people to reduce their carbon emissions. "One idea is to develop a loyalty scheme in partnership with a local DIY store," says Peter. "Taking certain carbon-cutting steps would earn members points which they could use to buy carbon-saving or environmentally-friendly products in the store."

Renewable energy showcase

The CLEAR Eco centre will showcase a wide range of low-carbon equipment and products, including loft insulation, energy-saving lightbulbs and LED lighting. "We're also installing renewable energy technologies including solar panels and a wind turbine. The pupils will learn about these systems so that they can demonstrate them to people who visit the centre," says Peter. "Pupils will also be involved in a 'green shop' that will sell simple products like energy-saving lightbulbs."

The Hamstreet Primary School centre has been developed as a pilot project for the CLEAR Eco Centre model. "By summer 2010 we hope to see significant carbon emission reductions across the whole community - in households, schools and parish buildings," comments Peter. "If we can achieve this, we may see the model replicated in other schools in Kent."