School attend mock COP29 climate conference

Learners from year 8 and 10 represented Nigeria and Barbados as part of the conference, giving speeches and questioning other countries about their strategies to reduce climate emissions.

The COP was opened by Solihull Mayor Shanin Ashraf,  who spoke about the state of climate action around the world. The conference was hosted by Solihull Council in partnership with InterClimate Network (ICN).

Learners from Lyndon School, part of the Summit Learning Trust, were one of eight schools to participate.

They split into teams to represent 16 nations at the COP29 conference, which took place last week in Azerbaijan. They debated their country’s carbon cutting progress and what steps they could take to limit warming to 1.5c, as set out by the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Learners then discussed local action to combat climate change, with learners from Lyndon presenting their own climate action plan. A ‘Climate Question Time’ gave learners a chance to quiz Solihull Council Leader Councillor Ian Courts on how Solihull is tackling climate change.

Head of Lyndon School, Syreeta Kapswara, commented: “Events like this are vital to allow our learners to learn more about the world around them, including the environment and politics.

“As young people, our learners will soon be asked to make decisions about our future, including in elections and on climate issues. I was inspired by how our learners behaved at the conference, where they conducted themselves with diplomacy, integrity and compassion”.

The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf MBE, said: “This gathering was more than just a simulation—it was a powerful demonstration of how debate and collaboration can address the defining challenges of our time.

“What stood out to me was that, while I have witnessed similar discussions in international chambers, the pupils here demonstrated an inspiring level of compassion and generosity—qualities the world’s leaders would do well to emulate.

“The world will remember COP29 not for what was said but for what was done. This model conference served as a reminder of that spirit. It showed that in dialogue, there is power; and that through unity, courage, and resolve, change is possible.”