Eco-Champions: Multi Academy Trust Youngsters Shine with Prestigious Environment Award

The Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) is celebrating a significant achievement. Students from their schools have received the Great and Green Award at the Wirral Globe Education Awards 2025. This award highlights their dedication to environmental issues, showcased during a recent conference.

At the Trust’s inaugural COP29 conference, held in December alongside the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, eighteen enthusiastic students shared their views on sustainability. They represented primary and secondary schools from the Trust, passionately discussing challenges like plastic pollution and the impact of climate change.

Winners of the Great and Green Award 2025: Gabriela Hyde, Logan Davies, and Olivia-Rose Davies

These young advocates echoed the belief that we are all “stewards of creation,” a concept rooted in Pope Francis’s encyclical *Laudato Si*. Their discussions included the severe consequences of actions like illegal poaching and the role of deforestation in global warming. At a time when the world faces critical environmental challenges, their efforts reflect a growing trend among youth to engage in climate activism.

Schools involved included Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary School and St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School. During the conference, students not only highlighted pressing issues but also proposed solutions for local communities to combat these challenges.

Emily Reid, creativity and sustainability lead at HFCMAT, with students Gabriela Hyde, Logan Davies, and Olivia-Rose Davies.

Emily Reid, who leads creativity and sustainability at HFCMAT, expressed pride in the students’ efforts. She noted, “Everyone at the COP29 discussed issues they care deeply about—from the dangers of single-use plastics to the plight of coral reefs. Their passion should inspire us all to rethink how we can contribute to a healthier planet.”

This award is part of a larger trend where educational institutions are increasingly recognizing and encouraging environmental awareness. Recent studies show that over 70% of young people are anxious about climate change, which propels them to take action in their communities. Programs supporting youth engagement in these issues are more important than ever.

The voices of students today have the power to drive change for tomorrow. Initiatives like those at HFCMAT not only foster this awareness but help shape responsible future leaders. With their commitment to sustainability, these young advocates are stepping up to create a more sustainable world for everyone.

For more insights on youth and climate change, you can see the latest reports from organizations like UNICEF, which provide valuable data on children’s perspectives and actions on environmental issues.

Check out this related article: How Trump’s Reversal of Climate Regulations and Austerity Measures is Shaping Global Environmental Politics