Schools
Youth Climate Summit
Newcastle's annual Youth Climate Summit allows young people to support the city's mission and learn more about climate education and action.
To date we have hosted five Youth Climate Summits in Newcastle:
- First summit – 1st of March 2021 at the Civic Centre
- Second summit - 5th of July 2022 at the Common Room
- Third summit - 13th of November 2023 at Northern Stage
- Fourth summit - 4th of July 2024 at the Discovery Museum
- Fifth summit – 6th of October 2025 at the Civic Centre
Green careers guide
The Council has published a green careers guide. This showcases green career opportunities available to young people in the North East.
Alongside this we have developed a green careers lesson plan for schools in the city. Within the lesson resource is a video developed by our Youth Council explaining what green jobs are and the benefits of having one.
Youth Council
The Youth Council and Youth Parliament are organised by Newcastle City Council. They give young people a chance to experience local democracy in a non-political way.
They are able to experience the excitement of elections and voting within the city.
The Youth Council have been heavily involved in engagement plans with the Net Zero team including organising our Youth Climate Summit, creating the Green Careers video and hosting our Net Zero Heroes Event for primary schools.
Net Zero Hero Initiative
To date we have held two Net Zero Heroes events to celebrate some of the great work primary and middle schools are doing on sustainability:
In November 2024 we welcomed 150 children to the Civic Centre from 25 schools. We awarded three schools with the Net Zero Hero Initiative Award. These inspiring projects ranged from an eco classroom to an eco-garden.
In February 2026 we welcomed a further 150 children to the Civic Centre from 30 schools. We awarded four schools with the Net Zero Hero Initiative Award. The projects ranged from a pond redevelopment to a sensory garden.
Thank you to our Net Zero Heroes for all their great work and commitment to the planet.
A Schools Guide to Go Green
The Department for Education’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy, sets out their expectation for all schools to have their own Climate Action Plan and Appoint a Sustainability Lead by the end of 2025.
We have developed ‘A Guide for Schools to Go Green’ that highlights sustainability programmes on offer to schools. These programmes support local green initiatives and suggest creative ways schools can reduce their environmental impact.
We have also organised a Newcastle Schools Sustainability Network for schools to learn more about sustainability in schools. This includes best practice examples, funding or support opportunities and award opportunities. If you are interested in participating, please email climatechange@newcastle.gov.uk