Youth Climate Conference To Be Hosted By WBC
Wokingham Borough Council will host its inaugural youth climate conference, as it looks to lead the area to become carbon neutral by 2030. Sixth formers from secondary schools across the borough will be invited to attend the event held at the council’s Shute End offices on March 30, 4pm to 7pm.
Topics covered on the day will include sustainable fashion, climate justice, migration and sustainable transport – as well as a Question Time-style panel. Speakers will be announced in due course. It’s hoped those who attend will go on to be ambassadors within their own schools, passing on what they’ve learned to the wider-student body – meaning the information will reach thousands of young people across the borough.
Youth Climate Conference Event
The event will also present an opportunity for young people across Wokingham borough to share ideas about everyday things which they can do to make a difference and help save the planet. We know young people have enthusiasm and energy for climate-friendly behaviour change and this event is designed to inspire them to go even further if they can.
Climate Emergency Plan
It follows the adoption of the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan in January. One of the areas within this as a key priority is ‘engaging with young people and supporting sustainable schools’. This is one of the first, of many, projects we will be carrying out to engage young people. The action plan sets out how the council will encourage climate friendly behaviours through schools visits and educational projects as well as facilitating young people to lead behaviour change across the borough.
“We are hugely excited to announce this event for our borough’s young people,” said Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for climate emergency. “Young people are one of the key audiences highlighted in our climate emergency action plan and I hope it will inspire these teenagers to spread the word not only to their peers but to the entire population of Wokingham borough.
“We know behaviour change is a key part of making the goals of our action plan a reality. By engaging with young people we know we are encouraging the right behaviours and showing just how much of a difference they can make with a few small changes.”
Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services, added: “Those who have been given the opportunity to attend will be able to hear from leading experts in this field. The event will engage our young people in a debate about what they can do to help our planet and our borough become carbon neutral.”
