The government has proposed that state-funded schools (including academies) within Great Britain, will participate within the carbon reduction commitment scheme under the umbrella of their local authority. In doing so, it is the carbon footprint of the local authority that will be legally and financially responsible for participation in the carbon reduction commitment scheme, rather than the individual schools.

It is also the local authority that will be positioned within the carbon reduction commitment, rather than the individual schools.
The local authority will be subject to a number of obligations and duties including:

* Responsibility for calculating all local authority missions including state funded schools and academies
* Purchasing allowances to Cover the above permissions
* Monitoring and reporting annual energy consumption and surrendering allowances where appropriate
* Maintaining the evidence pack for auditing

However, while the local authority will be legally responsible under the carbon reduction commitment, a duty will be placed on schools to require them to supply the local authority with annual energy consumption data. At a minimum, the data will need to be provided to the local authority at least once a year and would typically take the form of complete energy invoices for all non-transport electricity and fuel consumption.

Local Authorities should be prepared to provide advice and services to schools, to ensure that they collectively reduce energy consumption, secure a high place in the CRC league and avoid penalties and fines.