TRANSPORT is the largest single contributor to school carbon emissions and produces more CO2 than heating and powering buildings, new analysis found.

Students’ commutes account for over a fifth — 21 per cent — of the total emissions for a school, and staff account for 12 per cent, according to data from Eco-Schools and Keep Britain Tidy.

The report examined energy consumption from 1,600 primary and secondary schools around England during the 2024/2025 school year.

It found that a school’s electricity use accounts for 11 per cent, and combined with heating, both only make up for 27 per cent of its total CO2 output.

An average of two in five (42 per cent) of students surveyed travelled to school by car, the study revealed.

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton, said schools should focus on reducing emissions linked to transport “to meaningfully address climate change.”

Ms Ogden-Newton said: “Schools often prioritise recycling, but to meaningfully address climate change they must focus more on transport, energy use and purchasing decisions.”

All primary and secondary schools were required to have a climate action plan by 2025, as part of the government’s promise for Britain to reach net zero by 2050.  

For schools to meet the target, the report’s authors recommend promoting active travel, by installing bike storage and rewarding students in some way if they walk or cycle.

They also called for students and staff to prioritise cleaner transport, including carpooling.

Rail union Aslef highlighted public transport as the “gateway to the future” in helping to lower carbon emissions.