The city of Newcastle has received international recognition for engaging young people in tackling climate change and working towards net zero.
Newcastle City Council was today (Friday 26 July 2024) presented with the Green Cities Initiative award for youth engagement by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The award recognises the comprehensive actions we have taken to ensure that Newcastle’s youth voice, through projects such as the annual Youth Climate Summit and the Youth Council, is placed at the heart of our climate strategy and urban green vision.
A ceremony was held in Rome to recognise Green Cities winners and Leader of the council, Cllr Nick Kemp, was on hand to accept the award virtually alongside Newcastle Youth Council member, 17-year-old Molly Bawden.
Cllr Marion Williams, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable city, Newcastle City Council, said: “We are so proud of our Youth Climate Summit and the work we are doing with young people to create a greener city, and a greener world.
“The summit, working together with our elected Youth Council, is a great way to engage young people in an issue they care deeply about. It helps them shape our policy and opens their eyes to future careers in the green industry.
“But we have also delivered initiatives right now, spearheading the North East Community Forest that has involved our communities and young people in the planting of tens of thousands of trees.
“Newcastle is an ambitious city, and this award demonstrates we are making progress in our bid to be the home of green industry in the UK. We have big plans for the years to come and our city’s children will be the foundation for an inclusive economy and a cleaner, greener future.”
Recent engagement work has been via the newly elected Youth Council who have set green spaces as one of their key priorities and have been working in a close consultation process with the city’s park operators to develop regeneration strategies.
This year also saw the annual Youth Climate Summit return which educates and empowers young people to play an active role in sustainability and biodiversity. This unique innovative summit has taken place since 2021 and acts to give students a voice on climate change as well as offering vital education on sustainability and their future.
Newcastle City Council also plays a leadership role in the growth of the North East Community Forest which has brought together schools, youth groups and communities to get behind the ambition of transforming Newcastle into a green, accessible, and biodiverse area for all to enjoy.
Newcastle has also recently been named a Tree City of the World with the planting of over 20,000 trees and hedgerows in the last year.
In September 2020, FAO launched its Green Cities Initiative (GCI) at the 75th session of the United National General Assembly. Each year they recognise cities across the world for their contribution to tackling climate change.
For more about the FAO, and the Green Cities Initiative, see: