Scotland’s youth climate group, the 2050 Climate Group, has been named best project in the United Kingdom in the prestigious Energy Globe Awards.
Announced on World Environment Day (5th June), the Energy Globe Awards are supported by UNESCO and in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. The Energy Globe Awards are awarded annually to projects focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energies and the conservation of resources.
2000 submissions across over 170 countries were received with the 2050 Climate Group chosen to represent the United Kingdom by the judges. The project will be highlighted internationally by the awards to inspire action in other nations.
The 2050 Climate Group is a social movement of young professionals whose aim is to engage, educate and empower Scotland’s future leaders to take action on climate change. They do this through their Young Leaders Development Programme, a programme which combines climate change education with leadership development to provide the skills necessary for young people to lead the transformational change towards a low carbon Scotland.
The group, already 350 people strong, is aiming to extend their membership by an additional 150-200 young people each year for the next three years. The group then plan to help replicate the Young Leaders Development Programme in other countries.
As a national winner, the 2050 Climate Group have been automatically selected in the Youth category for the International Energy Globe World Award. The Energy Globe Awards is one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards broadcast all over the world. The winners share from a prize pool of 10,000 euros.
Lynette Purves, Trustee of the 2050 Climate Group, said, “We are delighted to win this award. Having incorporated only earlier this year, this award shows the huge impact we’ve made in a very short space of time, and is a real credit to all our volunteers, young leaders and supportive partners.”
Ann McKechin, ScottishPower Foundation Trustee and Executive Officer, said, “Having supported the 2050 Climate Group’s Young Leaders Development Programme, since its inception in 2016, the ScottishPower Foundation is delighted to see them win this prestigious award in recognition of their outstanding work.”
It is fantastic to see this group of young professionals so committed to driving towards a sustainable, low carbon economy. Their dedication and passion in leading a movement of real change to address climate change echoes the Foundations commitment to the advancement of environmental protection, and is a shining example of the role that young people can play in protecting our planet for future generations.”
Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot Awards said, “We need young people to take the lead on the environmental issues. Congratulations to the 2050 Climate Group who are now inspiring others across the world.”
For more information and to see all the finalists visit www.energyglobe.info
Notes to Editors:
The 2050 Climate Group is supported by the ScottishPower Foundation, Scottish Government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water and the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) and was established by the 2020 Climate Group and Young Scot.
For more information on the 2050 Climate Group please visit www.2050.scot