Sunkonnect, a renewable energy management consulting firm, has announced plans to reduce 15 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions from educational institute campuses over the next four years. The target amounts to 34 million (34 mn) tonnes (t) of CO2 and is an unprecedented effort to position the education sector as a frontrunner in national climate action. India’s education network includes 248 mn students, 1.47 mn schools, 43 mn university and college students and 10 mn teachers, highlighting the scale.

Buildings in the sector were estimated to produce 230 mn t of CO2 every year, creating a large operational footprint that the plan seeks to address. The firm indicated that most institutions operate during daylight hours, creating scope for solar deployment and energy efficiency measures across campuses. Through its Sunsol solution the company intends to install solar rooftops on more than 5,000 schools across India over the next seven to 10 years.

The consultancy has begun a partnership with a private university to conduct greenhouse gas footprint assessments and to develop sustainability roadmaps for campuses. This move forms part of a strategic entry into India’s 35 billion (35 bn) dollar education market and reflects rising demand for sustainability standards in academic institutions. Initial measures will include energy audits, retrofits and LED lighting upgrades together with waste segregation and the elimination of single use plastics.

The medium term rollout will prioritise rooftop solar PV installations, rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and biogas plants, with monitoring to track reductions in emissions per student and per square foot. Longer term goals encompass net zero pledges, vehicle free zones, biodiversity monitoring and advanced water systems to embed carbon practices into campus operations. The firm noted that electricity accounts for 78 per cent of campus emissions globally and that Indian higher education institutions average 2.67 tonnes of CO2 per student.

The company framed the plan as a decarbonisation strategy combining technology deployment and operational change to deliver measurable reductions. It will aim to establish benchmarks for environmental stewardship in academia.