New Sustainable Schools Guidance Published

LONDON, February 24, 2010 - With the Government announcing that four zero-carbon schools will be
built in each of the nine regions of England by 2016 a new independent study
commissioned by Corus and the BCSA has provided an insight into how
sustainable schools can be constructed and how best to incorporate low or
zero carbon (LZC) technologies, such as solar panels.

The schools estate in England currently contributes around 15% of the
country's public sector emissions. Energy use in school buildings accounts
for 37% of this - a total of 3.5m tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each
year. The new Target Zero guide provides a detailed comparison of the
different energy efficiency measures, LZC technologies and allowable
solutions available and identifies the most cost effective means of achieving
different levels of carbon reduction.

For those schools currently involved in the Building Schools for the
Future Programme, which has also committed to reducing operational carbon
emissions for new schools by 80%, the guide provides an in-depth overview and
recommendations.

Richard Barrett Immediate Past President of the BCSA said: "The work has
been undertaken by a consortium of leading organisations in the field of
sustainable construction to provide information and guidance for construction
clients and their professional advisors on how to design and construct
sustainable secondary school buildings.

"It is hoped that the findings of this guide can credibly inform those
that have been set the zero carbon challenge, to turn the aspirations of
Government into reality."

The illustration [attached] shows a recommended approach to achieving a
zero carbon schools.

"Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk."

For further information and a copy of the full report visit
www.targetzero.info

For further information please contact Catherine Towns at CIB Communications on Tel: +44(0)1372-371800, Fax: +44(0)1372-371-0801 or Email catherinet at cibcommunications.co.uk.