Published on 7th November 2025

Students gather at the muni to discuss the climate.

In an inspiring initiative, students from 13 local schools will step into the shoes of international negotiators at a mock COP30 climate conference, scheduled for 13 November 2025, in Cheltenham.

This event, timed alongside the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil, aims to empower youth by mirroring the United Nations climate change negotiations.

Hosted by the Cheltenham Borough Council and supported by numerous sponsors, the conference will take place in the historic council chambers. It is organised by the InterClimate Network (ICN) in collaboration with Cheltenham Education Partnership.

Funding for the conference came from dedicated sponsors, including sponsorship from Gloucestershire County Council, Precision Green Energy, RRA Architects, and Spirax Sarco. This innovative summit marks a significant return for Gloucestershire schools, fostering participation in global climate discussions.

Students will represent a diverse array of countries, including Australia, Barbados, India, the Marshall Islands, the UK, and the USA, replicating the diversity seen at COP30. Through debates and discussions, they will draft proposals and resolutions to accelerate climate action and adaptation, emulating the consensus-driven approach of the UN.

The event will be inaugurated by the Mayor of Cheltenham, councillor David Willingham, who will welcome the young delegates to this important forum.

The summit's second session, titled “Local Action,” will focus on regional climate efforts. Local councils, organisations, and schools will present their initiatives to combat emissions and adapt to climate changes, showcasing the proactive steps being taken within the community.

A highlight of the conference will be a dynamic “Climate Question Time” panel, where students can engage with local decision-makers.

Councillor Richard Pineger, cabinet member for the climate emergency, alongside representatives from the business sector, community, and academia, will field questions from the young attendees.

Councillor Richard Pineger said: “I’m keen to inspire and engage the youth in democracy and public service. I want them to feel how rewarding it can be at whatever level to get involved, and, if they show an aptitude, become the leaders and public servants of tomorrow.

“It’s so important that this hidden world is revealed to the school children of today so that they can feel part of our global community and be empowered to engage with political parties, local and national government, pan-national organisations like the Council of Europe and ultimately global organisations like the United Nations.”

Raechel Kelly from Planet Cheltenham, said: “Empowering young people to take collective climate action is a core part of our work, and any opportunity to amplify youth voices in the space is very welcome.

“Whilst COPs can seem faraway and removed processes that don’t result in visible change locally, being able to simultaneously highlight all the amazing work happening on our doorsteps whether it’s growing, retrofit, libraries of things or repair projects is a great way to inspire further action.”

Michila Critchley, programme director at ICN, said: “The world's leaders are meeting for COP30 in Brazil at the heart of the Amazon rainforest right now.

“Their President says that the era of good intentions is over, and for all nations, ‘The time for action plans has arrived'. Young people meeting in the heart of Cheltenham will take on the perspectives of different world leaders, and importantly, can grill local decision-makers about climate action in our own communities.

“ICN is delighted to once again bring together schools, councillors and a wide range of organisations in this dynamic event.”

The mock COP30 conference promises to be a pivotal event, equipping students with knowledge and motivation to partake in climate advocacy both locally and globally.

For media enquiries, contact: communications, telephone 01242 264231, email [email protected]

Notes to editors

  1. Agenda for the day:
  • 10:00-12:25 – Mayor opening speech and the COP summit in the Council Chambers
  • 12:30-13:30 – Climate action market place in the Pittville and Montpellier room, stalls of external and internal CBC teams
  • 13:35-14:15 – Cabinet Member opening speech and Climate Q&A panel with Mayor, Cllr Martin Horwood, Cllr Richard Pineger, Raechel Kelly Planet Cheltenham and Professor Kenny Lynch
  • 14:15-14:25 – Discussion
  • 14:25-14:30 – Final closing comments

2. About InterClimate Network (ICN)

InterClimate Network (ICN) is the brand of the charity, InterClimate Trust. ICN’s schools’ programme has a track-record of inspiring youth voices and advocacy on climate change through its long-running model climate conferences, alongside work inspiring youth climate voices and climate action in schools.

For COP30, ICN has updated our award-winning COP resource and continued its objective to sharply focus on lived experience of climate change around the world, particularly for young people and the most vulnerable. Find out more at: https://interclimate.org/climate-conferences/

3. Conference funding and support

Council funding, a grant from Cheltenham Community Pride and sponsorship from Benefact Group means that the conferences are free to schools, and thanks go to them all for their support.