CarbonFix for Schools: a tool for carbon footprint education in practice

Climate protection and reducing the carbon footprint are no longer just a topic for companies, industry or experts. It is increasingly resonating on school grounds, among teachers and students. Schools are in a unique position: they are a significant local actor and at the same time a place where the attitudes of future generations are formed. This was one of the reasons why CarbonFix for Schools was created.

CarbonFix for Schools is an online tool that allows schools to determine the carbon footprint of their operations, understand its main sources and work with the results further. Systematically, clearly and practically. But it is not just about numbers.

The tool was created thanks to the cooperation of the technical and methodological knowledge of CI3, s. r. o. and the experience of the educational practice of CI2, o. p. s. CI3 brings professional know-how in the field of carbon footprint calculations, working with data and international standards. CI2 has long been dedicated to climate education, cooperation with schools and the transfer of environmental topics into teaching. CarbonFix for Schools is built on a proven foundation and adapted to the needs of schools - simply, clearly and with an emphasis on the impact on education. The goal was not only to determine the carbon footprint of the school, but also to inspire responsible thinking and long-term changes in the real environment of the educational institution

How CarbonFix for Schools works

The online tool CarbonFix for Schools is created on the basis of the proven tool CarbonFix. The calculation of the school's carbon footprint itself is in accordance with the international standard GHG Protocol and is also based on the technical standard ISO 14064-1. The emissions produced by a school during the year are divided into three areas (so-called Scopes) according to the GHG Protocol:

Scope 1 – direct emissions from school activities (e.g. heating, own vehicles),

Scope 2 – indirect emissions from purchased energy (electricity, heat),

Scope 3 – other indirect emissions related to school operations (e.g. transport of students and employees, school catering, purchase of materials, waste)

Basic information and input data for calculating the carbon footprint are entered via a form for the basic calculation of the school's carbon footprint. CarbonFix for schools respects the requirements of international standards, norms and the division into Scopes. However, for user accessibility, it immediately sorts the input data into logical units, so-called areas, so that they are more practical and understandable for users. In total, the school's carbon footprint is divided into thirteen calculation areas.

When a school leads by example

The largest part of the carbon footprint of school buildings is created during their operation. This primarily concerns energy consumption, transport, catering or the purchase of goods and services. This is where the school has the greatest opportunity to actively influence the situation.

Reducing the carbon footprint does not only bring environmental benefits. In schools, it is often reflected in lower operating costs, better quality of the indoor environment (air, temperature, acoustics), and greater comfort for students and teachers.

The educational effect also plays a crucial role. A school that operates sustainably becomes a strong example for its surroundings and naturally supports students' climate literacy.

Carbon footprint as part of teaching

The greatest potential of CarbonFix for schools lies in its use in education. Working with real data from the school's own environment allows you to connect the topic of climate protection with teaching across subjects, from mathematics and natural sciences to geography, civics and computer science.

CarbonFix for Schools also includes the educational part of the tool, training and consultation on CarbonFix for Schools, seminars and workshops (managed by CI2, o. p. s.). CarbonFix for Schools helps schools better understand their carbon footprint and transfer the topic of climate protection from theory to practice. Schools will receive clear data on their operations and at the same time a tool that can be meaningfully included in teaching.

Students can thus work with real information, learn to analyze the impacts of human activity and try out the implementation of proposed measures on the example of selected schools and their impact on the size of the carbon footprint. The school can thus become a living laboratory where students try to analyze data, propose measures, monitor their impacts and understand the connections between everyday operations and global challenges. It is not just about knowledge, but also about practical skills and the experience that change is possible and measurable.

CarbonFix for schools is implemented as part of the project "School Carbon Footprint: From Calculation to Responsible Consumption of Educational Institutions", which was supported by the Ministry of the Environment