Young competition winners from Redbridge discuss climate ideas with Deputy Mayor of London

Redbridge students championing climate action were given the opportunity to share ideas for reducing carbon emissions in the borough with London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE.

The opportunity came after Redbridge Council ran a Youth Climate Essay Competition asking local students “How to reduce emissions in Redbridge”, prompting a wave of creative and innovative entries from schools across the borough.

The competition gave young changemakers a fun way to share their views and ideas to shape the Council’s new climate strategy, as part of efforts to put young people at the heart of decisions that help develop a greener and cleaner Redbridge.

Students aged 11–17 shared bold, creative, and practical solutions to tackle emissions across the borough, exploring themes including:

• Sustainable buildings
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Waste reduction and recycling
• Sustainable transport and active travel
• Community engagement, green spaces, and inclusive climate education

The 12 winners, accompanied by Redbridge Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability Cllr Jo Blackman, and a member of the Council’s Neighbourhood Street Scene Team, were invited to attend City Hall for a special awards ceremony where they got to share their winning essay entries and discuss their ideas with Deputy Mayor Coban.

Yusuf Shobair, age 16, from Seven Kings School was among the 12 winners. The teenager said he got involved in the competition because “climate change affects every aspect of our lives, and I believe Redbridge can set an example by taking bold and creative action that improves local life while addressing global challenges.”

Yusuf’s winning essay entry essay, titled ‘A Greener Redbridge: Our Responsibility, Our Future’, explored a range of ideas including upgrading insulation in buildings, encouraging local food growing, and supporting public transport.

Speaking about his win and the opportunity to exchange ideas with the Deputy Mayor, Yusuf said: I was thrilled and proud to have my ideas recognised. It felt especially rewarding to be part of something that could help shape local climate policy. It was a fantastic experience going to City Hall. Mr Coban and Councillor Blackman were really engaged and interested in our ideas. It felt meaningful to share my views and know they were taken seriously. We also had the chance to tour City Hall and sit in on a scrutiny meeting, which gave us a better understanding of how policy is shaped at a city level.”

Heaping praise on the winners Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban said: "It was great to host the young people from Redbridge who are helping shape the future of their borough. Young people are a vital part of the solution to the climate and ecological emergencies. The Mayor and I are committed to supporting the next generation of leaders to make their voices heard, as we work together to build a fairer, greener London for everyone."

Mr Coban invited the competition winners to City Hall having first met some of Redbridge’s young climate action advocates at Redbridge’s youth centred Eco-Skills Festival last year, where he was guest speaker.

The Eco-Skills Festival, hosted under Redbridge Council’s Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum, was aimed at local students interested in tackling climate change and creating a greener and cleaner borough to live in. It also gave young people the chance to share green achievements and ideas, whilst broadening their skills and knowledge through workshop activities and discussions.

The local event also sparked inspiration for a London Youth Climate Summit, due to take place later this year hosted by Deputy Mayor Coban, and is aimed at young environmental advocates across the Capital.  Keep an eye out on https://x.com/LDN_environment for more details.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability Cllr Jo Blackman said: “It was lovely to bring these amazing students to meet the Deputy Mayor and discuss their brilliant ideas with him. It's great to know that Redbridge’s Youth Forum platform has inspired the Deputy Mayor to organise a London wide Youth Climate Summit. Young people are our future, and they are deeply aware of the challenges facing our planet, so it is vital to give them a voice and a key role in shaping our priorities to tackle climate change.”

Redbridge’s Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum is an extension of the Council’s on-going work with local communities, including its young people, to tackle the climate emergency, and create a greener and more biodiverse borough to live in. Find out more: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/about-the-council/climate-change/

Child Friendly Redbridge:

Redbridge has partnered with global children’s charity UNICEF UK and their Child Friendly Cities & Communities initiative to make the borough a child friendly community.

The Redbridge Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum is an example of how local children are shaping the council’s decision-making processes and policies, embodying the key principles of becoming a child friendly borough.

Find out more about Child Friendly Redbridge and the council’s work towards Redbridge becoming a UNICEF-accredited “Child Friendly Borough”: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/childfriendly/