Climate change
20 September 2012
Climate change is a key global issue for young people.
- We recognise the scientific consensus but are not a climate change organisation. However, as one of the big global issues – particularly for young people - climate change is a powerful topic through which we can engage with young people around the world.
- Climate change is a significant concern for many of the people and countries we work with globally.
- We deliver our climate work in collaboration with and through expert partners.
We provide opportunities for young people concerned about climate change to tackle these issues in their schools and communities
- We provide opportunities for young people, whether in the classroom or their communities, to have access to UK ideas, expertise and resources on science, sustainability and climate change.
- This develops their skills in advocacy and enquiry and encourages them to develop international connections and experience.
- We develop the skills and abilities of future leaders and young people around the world to engage with peers, communities, and decision makers at a local, national and international level on global issues including climate change.
In the last two years, we launched two new programmes - Climate4Classrooms with the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Meteorological Society, and E-idea, which trains, funds and mentors eco-entrepreneurs in Asia.
Our climate programme has supported a global network of 120,000 young people in more than 60 countries over three years with opportunities to devise grassroots projects and build organisations that tackle climate change. In China alone, a scheme that encourages students to reduce carbon emissions in their schools has involved 1,100 high schools, 1,800 teachers and 12,000 student participants. It directly affected 800,000 people and reached more than 25 million through the media.
Zero Carbon Centre is our pioneering virtual exhibition and conference centre that connects individuals and prominent organisations committed to building a sustainable future.
Our Climate Asia project has been developed in partnership with the BBC and the UK Department for International Development. The initiative surveys public understanding of climate change and evaluates activity, so as to help people adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects in seven Asian countries. This builds on the success of Africa Talks Climate, a similar project run in ten African countries.
Culture of Climate Change is a British Council partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit to capture the current picture of sustainability for 27 countries and track it over a number of years. The results of the research will be used to highlight areas where each country can improve, develop and further environmental consciousness amongst their citizens.
We have established a presence at the annual Conference of Parties summits that bring together the member states of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the world’s most prominent international negotiations on climate change. Our cultural relations programmes on climate change support Article Six of the Convention, which addresses the issue of education, training and public awareness related to climate change.
