"If Scotland is to become a world leader in the supply and use of renewable energy, then we believe that schools should be major focus within this "said David Eaglesham General Secretary.

"We call on the Government to enable every secondary school, which is suitably located, to be funded to have a renewable energy system on its premises or nearby supplying electrical power or heating to the school premises. Equipment such as wind generators, biomass fuel systems and photo voltaic cells are now much more readily available and the use of these would not only help in energy generation, but will create a greater impact on young people if they see their school generate much of its own energy. It will bring global issues very much to school level for our young people, as well as cutting long term costs".

Most Secondary, and many primary schools have grounds which would permit the installation of appropriate equipment to enable such energy generation.

"Schools are large public buildings, and such a scheme would also serve as an example to the community at large of how climate change can be addressed in a practical way. Some schools have already moved down this road, the new Inverclyde Academy being a good example, and we should now enable all schools to follow this path."

Further information from

David Eaglesham

General Secretary 27 December 2007