Climate action discussed at youth COP meeting

School children are taking part in an event aimed at inspiring climate action, to coincide with the COP31 international climate conference in Turkey.

Hosted at the Kingston Maurwood campus, the first Dorset-wide Youth COP has brought children from 14 schools together to discuss issues including future careers.

Maria Clarke, of Dorset Local Nature Partnership, said young people should be "given a voice" over dealing with climate change.

A Dorset COP 2026 event is also being held on Saturday as world leaders and delegates gather at Antalya in Turkey for the COP31 climate summit.

The Dorset Youth COP event includes discussions about how young people feel about climate change as well as a panel session introducing them to the range of jobs and careers in the climate and energy sectors.

Maria Clarke, of Dorset Local Nature Partnership, said: "Young people are inheriting the climate and ecological emergencies that previous generations have created and need to be given a voice in jointly developing and implementing the solutions to these issues."

"The Youth COP aims to raise awareness, inspire and support them to take action now and into the future."

The main Dorset COP 2026 event takes place on Saturday also at the Kingston Maurward Campus near Dorchester.

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