Local school pupils take part in mock COP28 conference in Reading

Pupils from eight local secondary schools will be mirroring debates taking place in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) at a youth summit in Reading in December.

The 10^th Reading Schools’ Model Climate Conference, hosted at the Civic Offices Council Chamber, is taking place on Friday 8 December, which coincides with Youth Day at COP28 itself.

The event will seek to emulate COP28, which is taking place in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December, with pupils taking part in debates and negotiations before quizzing guests in a Climate Question Time.

The Mayor of Reading Cllr Tony Page will open the conference and welcome students to the centre of local decision making.

Students will then form teams representing a mix of 16 developed and developing countries attending COP28, including United Arab Emirates, Australia, India, the USA and UK.

They will put forward policy positions using carefully chosen arguments in a conference debate model that mirrors the UN negotiations and then agree on a set of resolutions on key themes.

The second part of the conference allows young people to have their say on climate action in their area during a Climate Question Time. Students will be invited to put forward questions and contributions to a panel consisting of: Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport; Tracy Rawling Church, Co-Chair of Reading Climate Change Partnership (RCCP); Peter Moore, Head of Climate Strategy at Reading Borough Council, Laura De Moxom, artist, activist and cultural manager at Jelly Reading and members of the Reading Youth Council.

The session will end with pledges of action, including ways to make the most difference in school, and students will be updated on opportunities for future engagement through the RCCP.

The schools taking part in the event are: King’s Academy Prospect; Highdown School; Kendrick School; Maiden Erlegh in Reading; Reading School; Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge; Denefield School and Bulmershe School.

Reading Schools’ Model Climate Conference is hosted by charity InterClimate Network with local consultancy Just Ideas and Reading Council is a founding partner of the RCCP which sponsors the event.

Cllr John Ennis, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“The Reading Schools’ Climate Conference is a brilliant way for young people to learn more about global warming and the issues behind it.

“The day gives them a deeper understanding of the challenges that face different communities around the world and how important it is for people from all backgrounds to come together and work on solutions.

“The more young people who are engaged and passionate about the environment and global climate crisis, the more hope we all have for the future.

“We recently learned that Reading’s carbon emissions have fallen by 51% since 2005 and the Council has cut its own carbon footprint by 74% in 14 years. But we still have a lot to do to achieve our target for Reading to be net zero by 2030 and having local young people on board is essential.”

Brian Grady, Reading’s Director of Education at Brighter Futures for Children, said:

“It is crucial that our younger generations recognise climate change and the threats it poses, and the Reading Schools’ Climate Conference is a great opportunity to learn more.

“These are the young people who will one day be making key decisions for the good of our planet, whether that be shaping the policies we all live by or making informed choices in their personal lives.

“An event like this is an excellent way to share knowledge and spark an interest in protecting our planet and tackling climate change.”

Michila Critchley, Programme Manager at InterClimate Network, said:

“The UN said in November that nations are taking ‘baby steps’ to avert the climate crisis. We know that COP28 must provide grown-up responses – from stronger national policies to more ambitious joint climate action, to fair funding especially to where climate impacts are already massive.

"This conference allows secondary school students from across Reading to be immersed in these critical global negotiations as at the UN and importantly, means they can put our own local decision-makers on the spot.

“Our aim is for everyone to leave inspired and ready for more climate action, whether their influence lies in school, amongst family and friends, or in the wider community.

“ICN greatly appreciates the support of Reading Climate Change Partnership and Reading Borough Council for this event and the expertise of Just Ideas Ltd.”