Gloucester-based Benefact Group welcomed local charity InterClimate Network (ICN) and schools from across the country to a special climate action event earlier this month.

Students who make up eco-groups at four schools based in Gloucestershire, Bristol and Solihull came together for the event, hosted at the financial services group's headquarters on Gloucester Business Park.

The pupils had all run a climate action survey within their schools before the event, as part of ICN's research into young people's views, behaviours and motivations around the climate crisis.

The findings from the survey helped the groups develop ideas for a climate action plan for their school, alongside a series of virtual workshops.

Visiting Benefact House gave the students the opportunity to share their ideas for sustainability actions in their schools. They worked alongside other schools and experts to look at how to include behaviour change approaches to climate change, communication and audience insights in their own climate action campaigns.

Some of the ideas presented included meat-free Mondays in the school canteen, a campaign to encourage more cycling to school and efforts to improve recycling and reduce energy waste.

The ideas for their campaign were then put to an expert panel, made up of volunteers from Benefact Group, Gloucestershire Youth Climate Group, Planet Cheltenham and Save the Children UK for feedback and suggestions on how they could bring their plans to life in their schools.

Chris Pitt, group impact director at Benefact Group, said: "When it comes to climate, I think the opinions and ideas that really matter should come from young people. Today's secondary school students face adult lives which will be far more impacted by climate change than those of their parents and the current generation of political and industrial leaders. So it's right that we hear them and support them to make positive changes.

"We had a fantastic day, helping over 30 children to develop climate action plans for their schools, supported by volunteers from InterClimate Network, Benefact Group staff, Gloucestershire Youth Climate Group, Planet Cheltenham and Save the Children UK. I think we learnt a thing or two about passion, creativity and commitment and I hope they all benefitted from it as much as we did."

Michila Critchley, programme director at InterClimate Network, said: "Young people have told us in their surveys that they are willing to do more on climate change, and that positive reinforcement really helps. This was at the heart of the climate action event.

"It was a tremendous boost for the schools who took part to meet at Benefact House, and to be encouraged by excellent feedback from the Dragons' Den panel and all the experts in the room.

"InterClimate Network greatly appreciates the support for our work provided by Benefact Group through Movement for Good awards, which made this event possible."