The government yesterday announced ambitious plans to slash carbon emissions from the nation's schools, promising to cut emissions from new schools by 80 per cent compared to a decade ago and ensure that all schools publish information on their energy use.

Unveiling the new plans, schools secretary Ed Balls said that the government will introduce a target to reduce CO2 emissions from new school buildings by around 80 per cent on 2002 building standards by 2013 – marking a 20 per cent increase on current standards.

He also outlined plans to build four completely zero-carbon schools by 2016 and introduce measures to ensure the energy and carbon performances of schools are monitored and published.

Balls said the schools estate in England contributes around 15 per cent of the country's public sector carbon emissions, making it an ideal forum in which to deliver deep cuts in emissions. "With the schools estate emitting around 9.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – about two per cent of total UK greenhouse gases – for the first time ever we have looked at the ambition of making schools zero carbon," he said.

Central to the new strategy will be a £12m investment programme to encourage schools across England to install free smart meters to display a school's energy use in real time.

Research by the Carbon Trust shows that smart meters and wider behavioural changes in using energy can result in 10 to 15 per cent cuts in fuel bills – saving the average 900-pupil secondary school more than £3,000 a year on fuel bills.

Kanat Emiroglu, managing director of British Gas Business, which will supply the smart meters, said they can also be used as an effective teaching tool.

"These 'dashboard' displays will provide the opportunity for teachers and pupils to learn about climate change, energy efficiency and carbon budgeting in an exciting and interactive way, whilst also allowing schools to manage and reduce their energy costs," he said.

The smart meters will be supported by a year-long communications campaign from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) designed to help schools reduce their overall energy costs.

The government said that practical advice, support and case studies will be made available for school heads, teachers and governors to help them curb carbon emissions from their operations.

The new strategy accompanies the release of a report from an independent Zero Carbon Taskforce appointed by Balls, which recommended that public awareness campaigns within schools represent one of the most effective ways of curbing emissions in the short term.

"Schools are crucial in achieving lower energy ambitions, not least because of so many students' enthusiasm for helping to protect the future of the planet, " said taskforce chair Robin Nicholson. "And it is not just the students; it is their families, their homes and their communities that surround the schools."