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Climate: Energy and transportation

Learn about ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy.

The climate benchmark highlights school-based energy conservation and transportation initiatives. We cover how these initiatives can lower greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change. Conserving energy can also help schools save money. Utilities are the largest expense for schools and school districts after salaries. Additionally, about 25% of commute time in King County is spent transporting students to and from school. By working on the climate benchmark, schools and districts can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create healthier communities.

Criteria for recognition

Schools

  • Conduct a baseline Waste Walk Through (WWT) at least every 2 years. Use the information to set waste reduction goals.
  • Promote your school and/or district climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions goals and energy conservation plans. If none exist, develop a plan with school administration, faculty, and staff. Your plan may include:
    • Create no idling zones
    • Establish bike and pedestrian lanes and services
    • Lights off or unplug electronics policies for weekends and holidays
    • Create checklists for classrooms to ensure electronics are turned off at the end of the day
    • Limit after-school activities to specific areas to consolidate energy use
    • Encourage staff and students to dress for the season rather than using space heaters, fans, or changing the thermostat
  • Complete a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas reduction project involving students and an adult advisor(s). Projects might include:
    • Monitoring lights and equipment shut down when rooms are not in use
    • Promoting natural lighting from windows instead of turning on lights
    • Measuring and adjusting automatic light shut-off timers
    • Conducting a school energy audit and tracking electricity use over time
    • Placing energy conservation signs on light fixtures and electronics
    • Starting a no idling campaign
    • Promoting a biking, walking, rolling, carpooling, or bussing to school day
  • Share at least 1 way you’re educating all students and staff about climate mitigation or greenhouse gas reduction efforts with your program representative.
  • Share at least 1 success from your climate mitigation or greenhouse gas reduction efforts with your program representative.
  • Optional: Share your other climate mitigation actions.

Districts

Districts can find recognition criteria for the Climate: Energy & Transportation Benchmark in the District Benchmark Guide.

Recognition form

Schools

Fill out the School Climate: Energy & Transportation recognition form. You may fill out the form to receive your benchmark badge at any time of year.
You can complete the recognition form over multiple sessions using the "Save" button. You will be emailed a link that allows you to continue filling out the form. Once the form is complete, select the "Submit" button.
Districts
Fill out the District Climate: Energy & Transportation recognition form. Districts may fill out the recognition form and receive the benchmark badge in the spring of each school year.

Climate: Energy and transportation resources and activities

Interested in learning more? Check out our resource list for more detailed information on this benchmark topic.

Success stories

At Sawyer Woods Elementary School in the Kent School District, students on the Eagle Ambassadors green team introduced several ways to save energy. During lunch, they discovered that only half of the cafeteria lights needed to be on. They laminated and hung “Classroom Energy Monitor Checklists” in each classroom. They also posted “Last out? Lights Off” signs to remind everyone to turn off the lights. Additionally, the head custodian has been replacing 26-watt light bulbs with 18-watt ones as they burn out.

At Ella Baker Elementary School, the student green team and the Lake Washington School District PTSA’s Sustainability organization focused on transportation this year. To support this effort, the Green Team and Safety Patrol students organized a “No Idling” event for Earth Day. Students handed out “No Idling” tickets to drivers with a positive message. The tickets encouraged drivers to turn off their vehicles if idling for 10 seconds or longer. They also included facts about the benefits of reducing idling. Green Team students presented an educational video during lunch on the health and ecological impacts of idling. They followed the video with a Q&A session and encouraged students to reduce their carbon footprint by walking, biking, or carpooling.

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