As environmental concerns increasingly take centre stage, schools have a unique opportunity to set a powerful example. By adopting sustainable practices and actively working to reduce their carbon footprint, educational institutions can significantly contribute to global environmental efforts while inspiring future generations to prioritise the health of our planet.
But how can schools achieve this? The answer lies in prioritising energy-efficient ICT solutions and incorporating sustainability into their ICT strategies.
By prioritising energy-efficient and recycled devices, schools can effectively demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. This not only reduces their environmental impact but also aligns with the Department for Education's (DfE) guidelines on promoting sustainable development and environmental awareness.
Incorporating energy-saving objectives into ICT strategies, choosing suppliers with innovative and energy-saving products, and promoting energy-saving principles are just a few steps schools can take to lead by example.
The role of energy-efficient ICT solutions in reducing your carbon footprint
Energy-efficient ICT solutions play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon emissions. For instance, moving from on-premise servers to cloud-based data centres can save up to 60% in energy costs, thanks to the reduced need for power and cooling equipment.
Everything ICT is recommended by the Department for Education (DfE) and offers access to a wide range of sustainable ICT products that schools can incorporate into their daily operations. For instance:
Epson’s Inkjet Printers: This range of printers claim to be three times faster, 96% more energy-efficient, and produce 92% less CO2 than traditional laser printers. They also feature refillable ink tanks, eliminating the need for disposable plastic cartridges.
Thin-Client Devices: Brands like Fujitsu and HP offer thin-client devices that can save up to 90% of the energy consumed by traditional PCs.
Incorporating sustainability objectives into schools’ ICT strategies
Creating an ICT strategy with sustainability at its core is crucial for schools. Here are some steps to get started:
Visioning session: Conduct a session with the Senior Leadership Team to define the outcomes they want for students, teachers, and parents. This session should include how new ICT developments can support these outcomes.
Technical and financial audits: Assess the current state of the school's ICT infrastructure and the total cost of ownership. This will help to identify areas for improvement and potential savings.
Options and recommendations: Based on the audits, provide a detailed report with options for sustainable improvements.
Framework support
Everything ICT is committed to supporting schools in their efforts towards sustainability. Our DfE-recommended framework includes suppliers like NetSupport and Senso, who offer power management tools that automatically turn off devices when not in use, saving energy and reducing costs.
Middleton Technical School in Manchester utilised our personalised support to implement an integrated access control solution that monitors building access, asset protection, and print management. This not only improved security but also reduced energy consumption by managing the use of printers across the school.
Additionally, we work with partners to offer energy-efficient products. For example, cloud-based solutions such as Microsoft Office 365 and Azure, as well as the Google Classroom suite, are significantly more energy-efficient compared to traditional on-premise solutions.
Conclusion
Sustainability in schools goes beyond reducing carbon emissions; it's about shaping a better future for our children. By choosing energy-efficient ICT solutions and promoting sustainable practices, schools can make a significant environmental impact. Everything ICT is committed to supporting this effort, providing access to a variety of eco-friendly products and delivering personalised procurement support to help schools achieve their sustainability goals.
For more information on how Everything ICT can help your school incorporate sustainability whilst ensuring compliance and value-for-money, feel free to get in touch with us.