News release from: 03/10/2024

Students have their say on climate action in the first meeting in a school for South Cambs District Council

Young people were encouraged to find solutions for local climate and environment action when South Cambridgeshire District Council held a meeting in a school for the first time.

Comberton Village College hosted the event with around 40 students taking part in morning workshops on five themes of water resources, circular economy and fast fashion, sustainable food, biodiversity, nature and green spaces, and air quality

This was followed by an official meeting of the District Council’s Climate and Environment Advisory Committee (CEAC) where young people put forward questions and suggestions for debate.

Cllr Brian Milnes, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Environment, was at the school and said: “Young people are the driving force of our future, and their voices are crucial in shaping how we tackle the climate emergency. By getting involved, we hope local students see there is an opportunity to bring fresh ideas, innovation, and passion to the table. Together, we can create real, sustainable change at a grassroots level. The time for action is now, and the perspective of young people can lead the way in protecting our planet for generations to come."

The event was arranged following a recent Young People Task and Finish group, where the District Council committed to holding a CEAC meeting in a school. Comberton Village College was chosen to host the event as it is a key member of the Cambridgeshire Sustainable Schools Network.

Cllr Dr Lisa Redrup, District Councillor for Comberton, and a member of CEAC who attended the day, said: “The workshops reminded us just how important it is to talk with young people when it comes to climate change. The students were so engaged with the work we're trying to do and had fantastic ideas. From ways to save water and making it easier to cycle, all the way to encouraging more biodiversity in new developments. The students should be proud of what they came up with - amazing work all around!”

Peter Law, Principal at Comberton Village College, said: “We were delighted to welcome students from local schools to join with us, the District Council and our MP to discuss local solutions to the international climate crisis. It was great to see our young people bring their enthusiasm and creative ideas to this highly important area. If the future lies in their hands, then clearly, we have good reason to have some optimism amidst such a challenging situation.”

Comberton Village College boasts a low carbon heat network thanks to two ground source heat pumps, which take the secondary school completely off oil heating and replaces oil boilers that were approaching the end of their life.

The pumps extract heat through a network of underground pipes in the college car parks and is one of the largest ground source heat pump networks in a UK secondary school.

The project was a result of the Cam Academy Trust working in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council and Bouygues Energies and Services. As well as reducing carbon, the project will save the college around £931,000, over the 20-year equipment lifetime.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is committed to helping make the district Net Zero by 2050. Councillors declared a climate emergency in 2019 and a Climate Emergency Toolkit was created for local residents, businesses and community groups who want to take action. For more information on how community groups can get involved visit the webpage.

Comberton Village College