Excitement is mounting among fifth-year students at Educate Together Secondary School, Wicklow (ETSSW) as they prepare to host a major youth climate conference later this month.
The students, who are amongst the first in the country to undertake the subject of Climate Action and Sustainable Development (CASD) for their Leaving Certificate, are finalising preparations for the conference which is entitled ‘Our Climate, Our Future’.
The ETSSW students are teaming up with Wicklow County Council and Codling Wind Park to deliver the conference, which will take place in the Assembly Hall, Wicklow Town, on Tuesday November 25th.
This is the third year of the conference which is expected to be attended by over 200 people from ETSS, neighbouring schools, community groups, political representatives and policy makers.
Attendees will hear presentations from inspiring leaders in climate action and sustainability such as Mary Fleming CEO of Change Clothes, who has turned a social enterprise for reusing clothing into a successful business, from Dr Jim Carolan, Maynooth University on Ireland’s biodiversity crisis and the steps they have implemented at the Maynooth Green Campus and from John Gibbons, Climate Journalist and Environmental Campaigner, who will talk about the urgent need to tackle the global climate challenge head on, as well as the risks of doing nothing. Radio and TV presenter Ruth Scott who will co-present the conference alongside ETSSW 5th Year Student Harry Tindale.
Katelyn Byrne, one of the students on the ETSSW organising committee explained that the conference is a key event in promoting the involvement of young people in climate positive efforts across Wicklow; “It brings together industry professionals, climate pioneers and young people with a passion for climate action, to share ideas, raise awareness and cultivate a sense of positivity” she said.
The theme of the conference this year will align with the new CASD leaving certificate course, providing valuable insights into local and national climate change initiatives.
Ioana Teodora Bosneaga, 5th year student in the school said; “I chose to do Climate Action & Sustainable Development for the Leaving Cert because the content of the course is highly topical and of great value. In my opinion, it is now or never in terms of implementing sustainable ways of living and transitioning our society into this new necessary phase of environmental growth.”
Fellow ETSSW student Harris Bremner explained how he learned about renewable energy and offshore wind through his work experience with the Marine Institute. Harris said, “I hope to be able to make a key contribution to climate change from studying CASD. I think it will be a key subject in educating the youth in climate change and climate justice. I’m excited to be part of the first CASD course in Ireland and to learn even more about climate action and sustainable development”.
Wicklow County Council and Codling Wind Park say they want the conference to provide a platform for the voices of young people in Wicklow on the climate crisis and to enable and encourage all attendees to become lifelong advocates for a better and sustainable future.
Wicklow County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr. Melanie Corrigan said, “It’s inspiring to see Educate Together Secondary School Wicklow, Codling Wind Park, and Wicklow County Council come together to host Wicklow’s third Youth Climate Conference. Education continues to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, and it’s encouraging to see climate-focused subjects like Climate Action and Sustainable Development now embedded in the Leaving Certificate curriculum. Climate literacy is no longer a peripheral issue, it’s central to shaping how people think, act, and advocate for meaningful change. This conference is a powerful example of how young people are leading the way.”
Wicklow County Council and Codling Wind Park are also delighted to welcome Ireland’s newly appointed Climate Youth Delegate, Seán Dillon as a speaker to this year’s conference.
Seán, who is a final year student in Environmental Science and Engineering at Trinity College Dublin is passionate about sustainable development, climate infrastructure, and equitable access to clean water supplies and sanitation.
Sean’s role in the Climate Youth Delegate Programme will see him accompany the Taoiseach, Ministers, or Departmental officials at different national and international climate change negotiations each year to represent the voices of Irish youth.
Scott Sutherland, Project Director of Codling Wind Park, said the team is delighted to be working with the students and staff at ETSSW and looking forward to delivering the third year of ‘Our Climate, Our Future’.
“Our mission in Codling is to help deliver a future where Irish communities are powered by Irish energy, with cleaner air and a stronger community. Listening to and continually engaging with our communities is central to achieving this.”
” It’s a real pleasure for Codling Wind Park to partner with the students and staff of ETSSW to deliver the third year of ‘Our Climate, Our Future’ conference for the young people of Wicklow. We are very aware that it is the young people who face the most uncertain future in the fight against climate change. Codling Wind Park in partnership with Wicklow County Council is really proud to be in a position to provide a platform to inform, empower and amplify the voices of young people in our community.”
The conference will take place on November 25th between 10 am and 1pm at the Assembly Hall on Bachelors Walk, Wicklow Town. For more information, please visit climatefuture.ie
For further information
Contact Kieran Garry
GPR Communications
Mobile – 353 (0)87 2368366
Email – kierangarry@gprcomms.com
About Codling Wind Park
Codling Wind Park is a proposed offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, approximately 13-22 kilometres off the County Wicklow coast, between Greystones and Wicklow Town. The project is a 50:50 joint venture between EDF power solutions and Fred. Olsen Seawind. With an expected capacity of up to 1,300 megawatts (MW), Codling Wind Park has the potential to supply over one million Irish homes with low-carbon, locally produced, low-cost electricity and to save almost 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year. The project submitted its planning application in September 2024.
