Two Year 13 students from George Green’s School on the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets and three from the Bobby Moore Academy in Newham were invited to 10 Downing Street on Monday to meet the Prime Minister and the Energy Secretary.
Rayhan Hussein and Emily Vu from George Green’s and Itohan, Arush and Arham from Bobby Moore – which is part of the David Ross Education Trust – took part in a special youth press conference about climate action with the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.
The event, held ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil next week, gave the students a unique opportunity to engage directly with government leaders on the future of climate policy.
The session brought together 30 young people from across the country to discuss the role of the next generation in driving forward the clean energy revolution.
Topics discussed included:
the economic opportunities of net zero
the importance of sustainability in education
how Britain can lead global climate action.
The students each got to ask Mr Starmer a question about climate change issues and they also had a tour of Downing Street.
COP30 is the annual UN climate summit, bringing together countries committed to tackling climate change and marks the halfway point to 2030, when nations are expected to meet their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
Furthermore, the curriculum and assessment review commissioned by the Department for Education has also been published this week. Among its 22 recommendations are proposals for young people to learn more about climate change and sustainability.
Commenting on the visit, Itohan from Bobby Moore said: “The experience was fantastic. I found that all the politicians were so passionate about climate change and it was great to see that they care about this on a global scale. The fact that they brought up Jamaica and current affairs and explained how they plan to address this in Brazil, showed real empathy.”
Arush from Bobby Moore Academy said: “This opportunity made me realise the sheer scale of the preparation, planning, and delivery behind every government policy and decision. It was inspiring to see first hand that those decisions are based on the opinions of citizens themselves. And I feel so privileged to have been able to communicate with Ed Miliband about tackling the problem.
Arham from Bobby Moore Academy said: “I feel so much more connected to what’s happening globally and what’s seen on the television and the news. I was exposed to the dedication that the politicians thoroughly put into trying to solve the problem of global warming.”
Rayhan from George Green’s said: “As an economist, the opportunity to meet the Secretary of State, Ed Miliband and discuss the UK’s clean energy plan was so insightful.
“Being able to speak to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about COP30 and sustainability jobs for the future generations was an unforgettable opportunity.”
Emily from George Green’s said: “Visiting 10 Downing Street was an unforgettable experience that brought history and leadership to life. Walking through its storied halls – past portraits of prime ministers, priceless artwork, and Churchill’s “Table of Peace” – felt surreal.
“Knowing that young people’s voices are influencing national and global conversations on the green transition was empowering, left me feeling inspired and optimistic about the future.”
Sarah Donnelly, Principal of Bobby Moore Academy who accompanied her students , said: “This was an amazing opportunity which we are hugely grateful for. I genuinely feel that it had a profound effect on all young people attending. All our children represented DRET so well.
“Our students were blown away by the whole experience and the opportunity to meet and ask questions to the Prime Minister as well as the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.”
