Three International Climate Champions (ICC) from each of the G8+5 countries met the UK’s Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, in March. They were in London for a week of activities addressing the challenge of climate change and to devise an agenda for action that young people can relate to.
During their week’s visit the ICCs developed three challenges. One of these, known as the Kobe Challenge, will be presented to the G8 environment ministers meeting in Kobe, Japan, in May.
They want concerned young people around the world to vote for the particular challenge they take with them. (Visit the British Council climate change web pages to see the choice.)
The ICCS were able to discuss their plans for Kobe and the year ahead with the Environment Secretary (pictured with Shiori Uehara from Japan and Stephanie Lynch from the UK, holding the three challenge options). He welcomed the efforts of the champions and took the group to 10 Downing Street, where he personally gave the Kobe Challenge options to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
Hilary Benn said, ‘Young people will be affected more than anyone else by the decisions we take on tackling climate change. These champions have a crucial role to play in inspiring more young people to make their voice heard across the world. I congratulate them on their commitment and on the work they have done so far and I know they are making a difference.’
Stephanie Lynch (18), one of the ICCs for the UK, who was previously a champion for the North-West of England, said, ‘Traditionally young people are the activists in society; however, the issue of climate change has brought about a global dialogue across all generations. We only have one planet to share and satisfy our needs, and young people need to make their voice heard.’
The Climate Champions programme has been set up by British Council project managers in each of the G8+5 countries (Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the USA) to help give young people aged 12-18 a voice on the issue, to improve understanding and, all importantly, to inspire action on the ground.
While in London the champions also met Sir John Harman, Chair of the Environment Agency, and climate change officials at the Greater London Authority where they learnt about the main green initiatives the city is promoting.
Emissions from ICC air travel were offset through PURE, which supports the Malavalli biomass Power Project in Southern India.
Visit the International Climate Champions site on YouTube and the British Council climate change web pages to find out more about ways in which the British Council is supporting coalitions of young people in tackling climate change.
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