Research shows that Northern Ireland schools, colleges and universities consume 744 million kWh of energy per annum at a cost of £36.5million, producing 164,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equating to almost a third of the energy spend for the entire Public Sector.
The Northern Ireland Education Sector produced 105,000 tonnes of waste in 2004/05. Over the last 20 years, the number of children being driven to school in Northern Ireland has more than doubled to 40%.
Guidance tailored for educational establishments can now be obtained on the NetRegs website 
. It includes guidance on environmental law and good practice. This includes advice on issues such as pollution prevention and control permits for laboratories, green procurement practices for halls of residence and environmental guidance for caterers on campus. It is particularly relevant to head teachers, janitors, facilities and ground managers, and those with responsibility for laboratories and workshops.
Environment Minister Arlene Foster said: “I am delighted to see the new environmental guidance from NetRegs for the education sector. While our schools and universities can have an impact on the environment, they also have a great influence on the behavior and attitudes of our society. By acting as an example of environmental excellence, the education sector in Northern Ireland can encourage sustainable development in the wider community at the local, regional and global level.”
Notes to Editors:
1. NetRegs provides guidance to small and medium-sized businesses on environmental regulations. It is a partnership between the Environment & Heritage Service (Northern Ireland), Environment Agency (England and Wales) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
2. The website also provides practical best practice guidance to help businesses improve their environmental performance. Guidance is provided for the great majority of UK business sectors as well as on general environmental topics.
3. The NetRegs self-assessment tool is a new interactive compliance tool allowing SMEs to assess their compliance with environmental law. Users answer a series of online questions about business processes, and receive a free report explaining the environmental regulations they need to comply with.
4. Businesses can also register to receive free email alerts from NetRegs to keep up-to-date with changes to environmental regulations on the NetRegs website
For media enquiries please contact:
Anne McGuckin
NetRegs Marketing and Communications Officer NI
anne.mcguckin@doeni.gov.uk
028 9056 9442
