School pupils lead the green charge at climate action event

The event was part of a national project coordinated by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS UK), and was supported in the North East via a collaboration including our Durham Energy Institute.

It aimed to equip pupils with the tools, knowledge and confidence to create and implement their own Climate Action Plans (CAP).

The UK Government asks all schools in England to have a CAP in place because schools and universities represent 36% of the total UK public sector building emissions.

CAPs provide schools with a clear framework to reduce their emissions by implementing energy efficiency measures and nature-based solutions.

Leading the way in climate research

The Durham event encouraged pupils and teachers to translate ideas into concrete steps to embed sustainability across their schools.

Hosting and supporting the event reflects our longstanding leadership in climate science, energy systems and environmental sustainability research.

Durham is home to world-leading expertise in areas including renewable energy, geothermal technologies and climate resilience.

We currently have seven researchers attending 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil, working at the forefront of discussions shaping the future of climate action and sustainability.

Inspired to make positive change

Participants left the Durham event with clear priorities and practical steps to implement at their schools.

This included mapping habitats in school grounds to identifying opportunities for energy-saving measures and student-led eco-initiatives.

Crucially, the workshops placed students at the heart of decision-making.

City of Durham MP Mary Foy attended and said it was ‘deeply encouraging’ to see pupils come together to take ownership of their education and their future.

She added: “I am proud that young people in my constituency are playing such an active role in driving the change they wish to see – showcasing that the environment is a cause close to their hearts.

“As their Member of Parliament, I’ll be glad to be their voice in Westminster whenever they need me to push these hugely important issues.”

A movement driven by young people

Eva, a student from Escomb Primary School in County Durham, said: “I didn’t realise there were so many ways I could help my school become more environmentally friendly.

“I’m really excited to go back and start creating our own Climate Action Plan.”

Stephanie Wilkinson, a Year 2 Teacher and Science Lead, at Escomb Primary School, said the event had inspired the school to move ahead with its CAP.

Amy Padfield, Senior Project Manager, SOS UK said: “Our workshops have demonstrated that the most powerful resource schools have in setting and implementing CAPS are their students themselves.”

Find out more

• The Durham event was led by SOS UK supported by the following organisations: ESRC Festival of Social Science, I-will, OASES, Sammy Mason, Ministry of Eco-Education, Let's Go Zero, NENP, Climate Ambassadors.
• The events were funded by the #iwill Fund which is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.
• Free resources are available from SOS UK including SOS UK Climate Action Planning Guides  to aid student-led Climate Action Planning.
• Learn more about the Durham delegation attending COP30 and the work of Durham Energy Institute.
• Find out more about our partnerships and collaborations with schools and communities through our Science Engagement website.
• Discover what we’re doing to improve sustainability on campus through our Greenspace Movement.