Westmorland and Furness Council, in partnership with the Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC), is proud to announce the fifth annual Cumbria Youth Climate Summit, taking place on Friday 27 June at Furness Academy in Barrow.
This year’s event marks a significant milestone with the highest number of student participants to date. A total of 104 students from 20 primary and secondary schools across Cumbria are set to attend, representing an engaged generation of climate-conscious young people.
Building on the success of last year’s summit at Whitehaven Academy, hosting the event in a school once again provides young people with easy access to a current, real-world conversation and creates space for them to be heard in their own environment.
The theme of this year’s summit is ‘Act Local, Think Global’ and reflects the growing awareness among young people of how local action can contribute to global change. The programme has been shaped with the help of students themselves and includes:
- Keynote speech from Jenny Williams (Students Organising Sustainability (SOS))
- A marketplace of ideas, featuring stalls from organisations such as Futureproof Cumbria, Cumbria Clothing Collective, and Cumbria Wildlife Trust
- An inspiring photo gallery showcasing climate action
- A range of workshops and interactive sessions
- A Speakers’ Corner where students will share their ideas and passions
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
“Supporting events like the Youth Climate Summit is vital. It ensures that the next generation not only understands the challenges we face but is empowered to be part of the solution. By bringing the summit into schools, we’re making the conversation more accessible and creating a platform where young people can influence the future from the heart of their own communities.”
Alison Hooper, Climate Action Projects Co-ordinator at CDEC, said:
“In our work with schools this year the climate crisis and climate justice has been a prime focus for children and young people. This year marks the fifth Cumbria Youth Climate Summit supported by the Zero Carbon Cumbria Programme and will be held at Furness Academy in Barrow.
“The theme of 'Act Local, Think Global' has resonated with schools right across Cumbria. It is the opportunity for students to come together, have their voices heard, share the great work they are doing in their schools and to leave with greater knowledge, confidence and agency that what they are doing is making a difference.”
Councillor Janet Battye, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, added:
“It’s inspiring to see so many young people from across Cumbria coming together to lead conversations on climate change. Events like the Youth Climate Summit show the power of education not just to inform but to empower. Our schools are nurturing future leaders and giving students the space to shape solutions to global challenges is one of the most important things we can do. I’m looking forward to attending the summit and hearing directly from our young people - they are our future and it’s important that we listen to and support them.”
The Cumbria Youth Climate Summit is part of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Programme, a collaborative effort working to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the county by 2037.