ICT is responsible for the doubling of schools’ electricity consumption over the last two decades. Consumption can easily and cheaply be reduced by ensuring computers are in standby mode when not in use. A typical computer might use 40W when switched on but use less than 2W in standby mode (as required by EU directive 1275 since 2008). This represents a 95% decrease in power consumption.

Ensure that all your computers which can be configured to go into standby mode do so automatically after a short period of time (e.g. 15 minutes.) Ask your ICT staff whether all desk and laptop computers have been configured to go into standby mode.