Over the past few weeks, Will and I have been busy preparing for COP29. COP29 stands for the 29^th annual Conference of Parties - the international climate change conference held by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) every year where countries agree to action to adapt to and mitigate climate change. This year, it is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan from the 11^thto 22^nd of November 2024.

I am delighted to be attending COP29 to represent young people in the UK to advocate for policies that support sustainability and climate change education. Education is a key enabler for climate action, and we know that public support for net zero action can be fostered through the education system.

To meaningfully represent students and inform the policies and projects I will advocate for at the conference in Baku, Will and I have spent the last few months talking to more young people about their views on sustainability in education. We recently had the privilege to visit the Co-op Academy Manchester alongside Minister Morgan and visit the Youth Leadership team from Oasis Multi-Academy Trust.

It was great to join Minister Stephen Morgan on his visit to Co-op Academy and see all the work the school and students are doing by engaging with the National Education Nature Park. The students shared their excitement about having a green space to learn in, and how it helps them feel connected to nature. Some of the students told us that they had been enjoying it so much that they were going in during half term breaks and staying in school late to nurture the plants and habitats as part of their eco and gardening clubs. One student mentioned that working in the garden made them think about their everyday choices and their environmental impact. These are exactly the kinds of actions we want to amplify at COP29 – schools using nature as a space to learn and support students’ wellbeing.

Our discussions with the Youth Leadership team at Oasis Multi-Academy Trust also highlighted the growing enthusiasm for climate action in schools across the UK. This team is about to start implementing measures encouraging more eco-friendly practices within their schools and communities. We talked about their experiences of sustainability in education and different ways to get involved, and students then came up with some ideas for climate education, like integrating sustainability across the wider curriculum and including the whole school community in the conversation.

It’s clearer now more than ever, that students across the UK are ready and eager to take their ideas and put them into practice.

As I head to Baku, I’m taking with me the voices, hopes, and concerns of these young people. They’ve shown us that tackling climate change isn’t just about the commitments made on an international stage – it's also about how our schools and communities can foster a mindset of stewardship and leadership in young people. At COP29, I aim to ensure that youth perspectives are not only heard but also acted upon, recognising the role we play in shaping a sustainable future for everyone.

I am excited to advocate for mainstreaming education within the global climate movement and stress the critical importance of schools, education within NDCs, and the voices of young people in this space.

Stay tuned for updates from the conference – we’re excited to share more stories and insights from the young leaders paving the way for change!

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