A University of NSW study measured carbon dioxide levels in 59 public schools across Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong. It found that 17 classrooms had CO2 levels above the Commonwealth's National Construction Code recommendations for most of the monitoring period. The study is one of the largest Australian assessments of indoor air quality in schools, linking poor ventilation to potential impacts on student learning and health. High indoor CO2 is a proxy for inadequate ventilation, which can increase transmission of airborne illnesses and reduce cognitive function. The findings highlight a gap between building code targets and real-world conditions in existing school infrastructure. Addressing this would require upgrades to HVAC systems, which also have energy and carbon implications. For the carbon and climate community, this story underscores the overlap between indoor air quality, building energy use, and decarbonization. Retrofitting school ventilation could reduce energy waste while improving health outcomes, making it a tangible example of how climate action and public health can align.
