School energy use will count towards the total emissions of local authorities from April 2010 DEFRA has announced.

Under the mandatory Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), councils will be encouraged to provide help and advice to their schools on energy efficiency – both on cutting bills and reducing emissions.

The trading scheme will incentivise local authorities to reduce emissions. It will be revenue neutral, with those who perform best being rewarded financially for their efforts.

Environment secretary, Hilary Benn, said: “Bringing schools into the carbon footprint of local authorities taking part in the CRC will encourage greater energy efficiency, with children seeing the results in their own schools.

“Young people stand to gain most tomorrow from the action we take on climate change today. That’s why schools should be included in the shift to a low carbon economy.”

In all, around 5000 large commercial and public sector organisations will be part of the CRC, including supermarkets, hotel chains, universities, water companies and government departments.

Benn made the announcement as he published new research which shows that 90% of children think their school could take more action to help tackle climate change.