Bringing together pupils from five partner schools: Newham Collegiate Sixth Form, City of London Academy Highgate Hill, City of London Academy Shoreditch Park, along with City of London School for Girls (CLSG), the day-long conference recreated the experience of a United Nations COP (Conference of the Parties), giving pupils the opportunity to take on the roles of international delegates and explore the complexities of global climate negotiations.
Mixed-school teams were each assigned a country to represent, and the event began with opening statements outlining each nation’s stance on climate change, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. Pupils then took part in an open debate, during which they were encouraged to challenge one another’s policies, defend their own national interests, and seek meaningful compromises that could satisfy competing global priorities.
Following the debate, pupils heard from Mr Thompson, Eco-Schools Coordinator, and members of the CLS Eco Schools Committee, who shared insights into the sustainability initiatives already underway at CLS; from energy efficiency and waste reduction to greener transport and biodiversity on campus. This session inspired pupils to return to their school groups and discuss what practical changes they would like to introduce within their own communities.
The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring leading voices from the sustainability sector, Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of ShareAction; Ramin Dilmaghanian, Managing Director of Furlong Energy; Luke Hodgkinson, CEO of Adia Thermal and Michila Critchley, Programme Manager at InterClimate Network.
The panellists spoke about their work in advancing sustainable practices across industries, from finance to energy and technology, offering valuable real-world perspectives on how climate action is being implemented beyond the classroom.
The event provided a powerful platform for pupil voice and collaboration, challenging pupils to think critically about global environmental policy while empowering them to reflect on the impact they can make within their own schools and communities.
“It was fantastic to see pupils from across our partner schools engaging so passionately with complex sustainability issues. Their creativity, cooperation, and commitment to finding solutions were truly inspiring.”
Andy Thompson, CLS Eco-School Coordinator
We extend our thanks to the InterClimate Network, all participating schools, guest speakers, and the pupils who made the 2025 Mock COP Climate Conference such a thought-provoking and impactful event.
