The views of Aberdeen’s children and young people are to play an even greater role in the Council’s plans for tackling climate change it was confirmed yesterday (Wednesday 26 January).
Aberdeen City Council’s Education Operational Delivery Committee noted the work already being undertaken in schools to address climate change and approved plans to develop accessible information for young people relating to Net Zero while also deciding which suggestions from children and young people can be taken forward in more detail.
The Committee also agreed to hold a Child Friendly COP26 event in the Town House and to appoint a secondary school President to present the findings of the event to a special Education Operational Delivery Committee on Thursday 14 April.
A survey of pupil groups and school leaders was conducted to help gather up to date information on the changes in local communities that had already been made in response to suggestions from children and young people via the range of pupil committees across the city’s schools.
The survey also aimed to capture the ideas of children and young people on how the school and Council could further improve their response to the Climate Change agenda. 1635 children and young people from across all city schools responded to the pupil survey and 40 nominated staff Eco contacts returned the staff survey.
Committee Convener, Councillor M Tauqeer Malik said: “I am delighted that the views and suggestions of our children and young people will play an integral role in our crucial work to tackle climate change and achieving Net Zero green economy for the city.
“This is another great example of us putting the views of our young people at the heart of what we do, and I am confident it will help us to achieve the outcomes set out in our LOIP and will benefit our ongoing work to becoming a UNICEF-recognised Child Friendly City.
“Children and young people are the city’s future, and it is absolutely right that they are given the opportunity to shape that future”.
Comments shared by pupils in the survey include the following city-level suggestions which Aberdeen City Council is working to deliver on:
- Environmental improvements
- More recycling and a reduction in waste
- Greater investment in clean and renewable energy
- Buying local produce and reducing consumption.