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The First Youth Climate Summit
3 July 2025The first Youth Climate Summit for London Climate Action Week was launched on 26th June 2025. Organised by Earth Minutes and supported by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and ZSL London Zoo, the summit united young people, and advocates from older generations, in exploring the next routes in climate action.
The event opened with a speech from Amy Feakes, Chair of the ZSL Youth Advisory Board, welcoming attendees. ZSL London Zoo then introduced the group to the work the organisation is doing to support environmental initiatives.
Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, gave an impassioned speech on the importance of youth involvement when considering climate policies and initiatives. He noted the importance of climate justice, and the myriad benefits a better climate would bring to Londoners.
The focus then shifted to a panel talk, hosted by Emma Askew of Earth Minutes, on the topic of ‘Trailblazers: Redefining Who Belongs In Nature’. The panellists were Clover Hogan (Force of Nature), Samia Dumbuya (The People’s Ark), Jack Durant (Youngwilders), and Kalpana Arias (Nowadays on Earth) – trailblazers in the climate and energy sectors. The panellists, discussed how nature is enjoyed by different people in different ways, and answered audience questions. One of the big takeaways was the encouragement to support the Climate and Nature Bill, which would oblige the UK Government to honour the climate commitments made in the Paris Agreement.
Networking then commenced, with attendees able to look around ‘zones’ covering ‘Careers and Recruitment’, ‘Policy, Research, and Local Government’, ‘Community Building’, and ‘Storytelling’. Attendees mingled enthusiastically, able to speak to Mete Coban, having been encouraged in his speech to be unapologetic in coming forward with ideas and questions.
The last section of the day split guests into different youth-led activities. One was a relaxed football game hosted by Football for Future, another was a Capacity Building Session hosted by Force of Nature and Youth Climate Collaborative, and the last was a Nature Walk hosted by Jazmeen Qureshi.
After Earth Minutes closed the event, attendees were welcome to take themselves around ZSL London Zoo.
I enjoyed meeting other attendees and speaking to them about opportunities we’re aware of, their own initiatives, and ways in which we could work together. The event was a major success, and was well-received by those who attended.
Find out more HERE.
Author: Phoebe Winter (Green Skills Project Coordinator)
