A call is being made for young people aged 11 to 26 to become ‘COP26 Local Champions’ across Scotland, to promote climate change action and themes.
Young Scot, the national youth information and citizenship charity, is looking for young people to form a COP26 Local Champions network, ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (‘COP26’) due to take place in Glasgow from 31st October to 12th November.
World leaders and many other delegates are expected to attend the COP26 summit that will discuss targets to combat climate change and rising global temperatures.
Ten volunteer ‘local champions’ aged 11 to 26 are being sought in each of the 32 Council areas of Scotland, including Shetland. COP26 Local Champions will promote COP26 themes in their local area, get people involved in COP26 activities, and collect and share positive stories of local climate action.
In Shetland, young people will be supported by the Council’s Youth and Employability Service, who will work with young people to co-design local events and activities.
Hours spent volunteering as a COP26 Local Champion will also count towards youth awards, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme or a Saltire Award.
The deadline for young people to apply to be a COP26 Local Champion is Thursday 30th September 2021 at 11.59pm.
Zoe Thomson, Graduate Project officer for Youth Empowerment and Participation, said: “Tackling climate change is such an important topic for all of us and the COP26 event next month will be a huge focal point for the world. We’re looking for COP26 Local Champions who can support local climate change activities and share positive local messages around climate action.”
More information is available on the Young Scot website or by contacting Zoe Thomson