Young Green Briton Challenge Finale Sees Future Climate Leaders Shine at City Hall

Key Highlights:

• Students from across England developed real-world environmental projects with support from the Young Green Briton Challenge, with finalists gathering at London City Hall to pitch.

• Creative climate solutions included refillable biodegradable inhalers, school-wide wormeries, and waste transformed into lava lamps, bird feeders, and much more.

• Winning teams will receive investment from a £4,000 prize fund to scale their ideas and boost local impact.

  
  

YGBC National Finalists on stage with Chris Packham, Deputy Mayor Mete Coban and Harriet Lambe

On 1st July students from across the country gathered at London City Hall to showcase their original, home-grown solutions to the climate and nature crisis. As part of the Young Green Briton Challenge, thousands of secondary school pupils have designed hands-on projects to tackle the climate and nature crisis in their communities.

From fashion swaps and refillable asthma inhalers to school ponds and plastic-free bird feeders - young people across England are turning climate anxiety into bold, practical action. The students' innovative climate solutions ranged from biodegradable whiteboard rubbers to biodiversity gardening clubs, from food waste wormeries to circular economy startups reusing waste before it becomes a problem. 

Finalist teams delivered dynamic pitch videos hoping to be crowned Young Green Briton Challenge 2025 winners and secure a share of the coveted £4,000 prize fund up for grabs from the Green Britain Foundation.

After much deliberation, the judges selected the winning teams Bouncepadz from Kings Leadership Academy Hawthornes in Liverpool, SustainInhale from Fairfield School for Girls in Manchester, Team Deforestation from Chiltern Academy in Luton and No Green, No Earth from Upper Batley High School- from a highly competitive pool of young changemakers.

Dale Vince, Founder of the Green Britain Foundation, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Young Green Briton Challenge. We created this initiative to give young people the opportunity and tools to tackle the climate crisis. The ideas we’ve seen today show just how much energy, and creativity the next generation has.”

Among those welcoming students to City Hall were Youth Ambassadors Bo Cox – Eco Warrior from St Vincent’s School for visually impaired students in Liverpool – and wildlife campaigner Bella Lack, a trustee of the Born Free Foundation. They were joined by YGBC Ambassador Chris Packham and Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban.

Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment, said: “With the climate crisis more pressing now than ever, it’s vital that we have young people at the forefront of climate action – so I’m pleased to have tomorrow’s green leaders here at City Hall with us today, and excited to see the progress of their innovative climate solutions, as we continue working to build a greener and better London for everyone.”

The event also featured inspiring stories from previous winners, including the Fashion Frogs, whose upcycled uniform business has already saved hundreds of kilos of clothing from landfill.

Now in its third year since launching in 2022, the Young Green Briton Challenge has engaged over 14,000 students from more than 50 state and special schools across England – helping them turn learning into action and explore pathways into green careers. 

The programme equips young people with the confidence, skills, and platform to lead change in their communities, with support from mentors, businesses, and environmental organisations across the UK. 

The Young Green Briton Challenge is delivered by Social Innovation for All CIC in partnership with GenEarth CIC and the Green Britain Foundation and , backed by a growing coalition of funders, businesses, and government partners.