Students debate climate issues at councils’ COP-style event

19/11/24

As global leaders gather in Azerbaijan for COP29, almost 100 students from schools across Babergh and Mid Suffolk have taken part in their own event to tackle real-world climate change issues

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils' Schools Green Skills Summit saw over 90 year 8 and 9 students from across 10 schools in Babergh and Mid Suffolk, represent 16 nations in a COP-style event last Friday (15 November).

The students debated real-world climate change challenges and emulated real-life negotiations, as world leaders are currently doing at COP29.

The council-run event, facilitated by InterClimate Network, and hosted by Ipswich High School, was designed to engage young people from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds about climate change and its effects.

The councils’ hope is to open up opportunities for local action and sustainable career choices for the next generation, following on from this year's Green Careers Week 2024 (4 - 9 November).

Students were also encouraged to think about the local action they and their schools can take to help tackle the climate crisis and get towards net zero.

Schools that took part were:

Hadleigh High School
Royal Hospital School
Stour Valley Community School
Thomas Gainsborough School
Ipswich High School
East Bergholt High School
Finborough School
Stowmarket High School
Thurston Community College

As well as a COP-style debate, the event also included a Q&A session with local leaders and organisations, and a mini green skills careers fair.

Ellie, student at Stowmarket High School, said: “I have learnt about how the climate can affect the whole world and how different countries have to do their part to help combat the problems that climate change has presented us.”

Spencer, student at Ipswich High School, said: “My favourite part was the climate conference in the morning because I quite like expressing my views and trying to debate with other countries and form alliances.”

Cllr Helen Davies, cabinet member for climate change, nature recovery and biodiversity at Babergh District Council, said: “Putting on an event like this is testament to our wider commitment to tackling climate change in Suffolk. "We hope that by giving our younger residents the opportunity to experience a real-life climate debate will encourage them to take local action and plant the seed for future green skills careers.”

Cllr Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to engage our next generation of residents on climate issues, and give them the skills, tools, and confidence to explore green careers in future. "We hope they’ve walked away from the event inspired and wanting to take local action at school and in their communities.”

The event was fully sponsored by:

Suffolk Sustainable Schools Network (part of Suffolk County Council)
Eastern Education Group
Morgan Sindall
Freeport East
Muntons
University of Suffolk
Denny Bros
IHI LTD

Students vote at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils' Schools Green Skills Summit 2024