Youth Climate Action Research
Our research with secondary school students provides a depth of understanding of young people’s climate action, helping ensure youth voices directly inform decisions in schools, communities, and wider political discussions.
Since 2021 over 20,000 British secondary students have participated in our Climate Action Survey. The data has been analysed on a national level to explore youth:
- Climate action, and willingness to start actions.
- Barriers and motivators to climate action.
- Information sources about climate change and who inspires them to act.
- Opportunities for climate action in school.
In collecting this data, we seek to ensure those under 18 are included in the wider discussions and research taking place around behavioural trends on climate action.
Reports
Youth Climate Action Research Report 2022 – 2023
One of the largest ever surveys of its kind, bringing together the views of almost 10,000 British secondary school students.
Resources
Youth Climate Action Research Report 2021
Almost 4,000 secondary school students participated in the 2021 survey, launched to coincide with Youth and Public Empowerment Day at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
Call to action
Five empowering steps emerged from what 11- to 18-year-olds told us would motivate them to engage in further climate action.
Share this inspiring poster outlining what you can do to help support change.
Impact
In feedback about using our reports, young people wanted the point of view of students to be widely shared, so that they are represented, and their views acted upon.
Our reports have been well received by academia, Government, and NGOs including Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet members, and the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee.
The research is:
- Influencing political thinking.
- Supporting the development of school and council climate action plans.
- Informing NGO approaches to action and engagement.
- Being used in university courses, such as PGCE teacher training.
- Supporting lobbying, grant applications, and wider publications.
“It’s been brilliant to have the report and stats when lobbying the council – it’s been an invaluable resource that’s really gotten the message across to them and has helped us to start wider conversation about Youth Voice Representation in local government as well as climate related discussions.”
Youth Climate Group
“Considering the lack of climate and sustainability education in the national curriculum it’s incredible how much is going on in schools. However, there is so much more that needs to be done in all schools to really prepare them for life on this rapidly changing planet. This research is vital to support change”.
Dr Meryl Batchelder, Teacher & Ambassador for Teach SDGs & the Ministry of Eco Education
Youth Climate Action Research Report 2022 – 2023 Key Findings
Using the data
These are open-access research reports distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Partners and Funders
Thanks to all participating school students and their teachers for their commitment to leading change.
The research has been made possible through the support of Movement for Good and the Dr Martens Foundation.
