HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 cc502-3W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the implications for carbon dioxide emissions of the Building Schools for he Future exemplar designs; what guidance he intends to issue in respect of the use of best practice in energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement. [185252]

Mr. Miliband

All new schools including those built under the Building Schools for the Future initiative must comply with Part L2 "Conservation of Fuel and Power" of the Building Regulations as revised in 2002. Approved Document L2 in support of the Building Regulations quotes Building Bulletin 87 (BB87) "Guidelines for Environmental Design In schools" as the relevant compliance document for schools. The current May 2003 edition is available for download from the DfES website www.teachernet.gov.uk/energy. The maximum annual energy consumption target allowed under BB87 is 5 kg of carbon per square metre of floor area for all new school buildings. BB87 also gives guidance on energy efficient design of new buildings. For best practice guidance on energy efficiency for both new and existing schools see the DIES energy portal www.teachernet.gov.uk/sdenergy.