AROUND 15 Limerick schools that have already earned an An Taisce’s Green Flag are now embarking on An Taisce’s Green Energy Project—sponsored by ESB Independent Energy (EBS IE).

Through support and engagement with local businesses they will get the opportunity to see, learn and generate new ideas on the benefits and impacts of best practice in energy management.

The participating schools are: Scoil na mBraithe, Our Lady's Abbey NS, St Joseph's Secondary School, Cloverfield NS, Shanagolden NS, St Ailbie's NS, Knockea NS, Monaleen NS, St Nicholas' NS, Barna NS, Garrydoolis NS, Caherelly NS, Shountrade NS, Patrickswell NS and St Mary's NS.

The aim of Green-Schools is to increase students’ and participant awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues through classroom studies and to transfer this knowledge into positive environmental action in the school and also in the wider community.

Schools can submit projects based on what has been learnt and successful projects will win prizes for their schools.

Launching the initiative, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said that “a basic knowledge of the need to reduce emissions and conserve diminishing resources will not suffice. We must be practical in generating awareness and the solution-focused outlook of the Green Schools project is impressive”.

“Without question, educating children on in the efficient use of scarce resources and its impact on our environment is where the solution lies, and this is where a real difference can be made. I have no doubt that the upcoming Green Schools Project, which now sees the involvement of the business community, will have a similar positive result and that the involvement of both business and the participating 230 schools will produce some very interesting findings.”

 An Taisce’s Patricia Oliver emphasised that the scheme “will help businesses and their staff to focus even more on energy management, and any savings achieved will help mitigate against rising energy costs”.