Perth & Kinross Youth Climate Conference
PKC Youth Climate Conference
Perth and Kinross Council are hosting a Youth Climate Conference in Perth on Friday 4th November. This will be a pre-summit to COP27, the 27th annual climate change conference of the United Nations.
Around 100 secondary school pupils from across Perth & Kinross will be attending. Through inspiring talks, interactive workshops, and action planning, young people will gain a greater understanding of climate change and how to take climate action.
The conference will provide opportunities for pupils to learn, collaborate, innovate and take action locally on climate change. Pupils can expect to develop climate literacy skills, receive practical advice on how they can take action and gain insight into what local organisations are currently doing to address climate change.
Why are we hosting the conference?
Young people are the least to blame for climate change – and the most vulnerable to its effects.
The Council has historically not been effective at reaching and engaging with children and younger people on environmental and planning topics. The conference will play a part in improving our engagement with young people on climate change. Meaningful collaboration with young people on this issue is absolutely crucial and we must ensure their voices are heard.
It is important that we ensure that our young people are climate literate as well as recognising and nurturing their interest in climate change by recognising their right to a voice and ensure their views are acted upon.
What do we hope to get out of the conference?
The conference will have the dual objectives of 1) educating our young people on climate change topics and helping them develop climate literacy skills 2) encouraging our young people to take action in their school to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
At this conference, we will launch an Energy Saving Schools Challenge. This will encourage young people to look after the environment and empower them to reduce carbon emissions related to their schools’ activities and buildings.
There are several key benefits to both the council and schools in reducing their carbon footprint:
- Reduces energy bills, generating financial savings for the Council
- Contributes towards the council’s target to reduce carbon emissions from its own estate
- Creates a legacy for the future by embedding sustainability in everyday life for young people
- Opportunities to bring climate change into education, and for integration in other areas of the curriculum
- Opportunities for accreditation and recognition through award schemes such as Eco schools
With a range of different speakers and workshop activities offered, the main themes of the conference will revolve around land use, transport, energy, and waste.
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