Chester Zoo has announced the launch of a brand new education project, backed by credit card provider MBNA, designed to help young people understand how they can tackle climate change and boost sustainability
Ahead of COP27, the globally-focused climate change summit, the new initiative will begin delivering vital materials and information through the school curriculum with actions to help protect the planet
Chester Zoo, one of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions, has teamed up with leading credit card provider MBNA, also headquartered in Chester, to launch a new education project helping to inspire action around climate change and sustainability amongst young people.
With world leaders meeting in Egypt for COP27 to discuss action on climate change this month, the new programme addresses some of the rising issues impacting the planet including unsustainable travel, the meat trade, single use plastics and fast fashion.
Chester Zoo’s Climate Connection Project with MBNA’, will deliver multiple workshops with 1,500 young people aged 10 – 14 years old, from primary and secondary schools across the north west.
With ever-growing concerns on climate change and the need to educate future generations on its impact, the workshops aim to arm young people with actions they can take to help the planet. This includes sessions on social media centred around sustainable travel, a look into the realities of the fast fashion business and the impact of buying the latest smart phone every year.
All the young people taking part in the programme will also be given a free family ticket to visit Chester Zoo.
Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education at Chester Zoo, said: “We’re delighted to be launching our new sustainability project with MBNA, as we continue to champion young people to help us protect our planet.
“A lot of young people are already aware of the environmental impact we’re having on the planet but are not always sure how they can help themselves and others. That’s why this project aims to inspire the classes we work with by making sessions more relevant to young people’s day to day lives.
“The debates around climate change and sustainability are, quite rightly, more prevalent than ever, and we understand this needs to be more than just teaching facts. We must empower the changes we, and the young people we work with, want and need. Our sessions are designed to drive real behaviour changes – however small – and enable young people and their families to make more conscious choices.
“MBNA’s support enables us to reach more people. We’re really excited to see the impact of this project and instill a passion for real change.”
During the last academic year, Chester Zoo’s outreach programmes have worked with over 9,000 young people from 52 schools.
Victoria Dowd, Sponsorships Manager at MBNA, said: “As a Chester head quartered business, we’ve always been proud to work with Chester Zoo, an organisation that relies on donations and funding to deliver some truly world-leading conservation projects.
“This project is particularly special for us as it supports what we’re striving to achieve as a business. We’re really keen to continue to support the programme as it grows, and are proud to be backing such an important cause.”
