The decisions we take now to address climate change and restore nature will define the country that today’s young people will inherit.
We want the next generation to inherit solutions, not challenges.
Today’s young people are already helping to develop solutions – in their schools, communities, workplaces and families and bring different experiences, fresh ideas and a clear understanding of what environmental change means for their communities and their futures. It is therefore essential that they have meaningful opportunities not simply to hear about government policy, but to help shape it.
That is why we are delighted that recruitment has opened for the government’s first Youth Climate and Nature Panel.
A new national panel
The panel was first announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in December 2025 as part of Energising Britain: Your voice in our Clean Energy Superpower Mission.
It will bring together 15 young people aged 16 to 25 from across the UK and from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Panel members will share their views with government, provide insight and advice, strengthen engagement with other young people and help encourage collaboration between generations.
Importantly, the panel members will help determine their own priorities. This will give them the space to focus on the climate and nature issues they believe matter most and ensure their views and experiences help inform government thinking.
The issues they could consider range from how we are restoring nature, adapting for climate change, improving access to nature, and the quality of the environment, to how we are transitioning to clean energy, a sustainable food system, and a circular economy, underpinned by green jobs.
Bringing community voices into climate and nature policymaking
The new panel forms part of a wider commitment to involve communities in climate and nature policymaking, as set out in our Energising Britain Plan and embedded in our Environmental Improvement Plan.
This means designing policy with people, rather than simply expecting them to respond once decisions have already been taken.
Youth perspectives will be increasingly important as government delivers ambitious programmes across climate and nature policy. These include efforts to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, support large-scale nature recovery, attract private investment into environmental improvement, and deliver the transition to clean energy and a net zero economy. Hearing directly from younger generations can help ensure these policies deliver benefits that are fair, practical and lasting.
Across Defra and its organisations, we are already learning from different approaches. Members of the public have helped inform the development of the government’s food strategy through a Citizen Advisory Council. At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, its Youth Council works with senior leaders so that young people’s views are reflected in organisational decisions.
It could be you!
Applications are now open to young people aged 16 to 25 who are based anywhere in the UK.
We are particularly keen to hear from young people with different interests, experiences and relationships with climate, nature and the environment.
It could be someone interested in how farmers are helping restore nature, how renewable energy projects are shaping local areas, how towns and cities can become greener and more climate resilient, or how new green careers and technologies will affect the future economy
We also want to hear from young people who may never have joined an environmental group, attended a protest or spoken to government before. Personal experience, curiosity and a willingness to contribute are just as valuable as established knowledge of climate or nature policy.
Applicants do not need to be policy experts. What matters is that they are interested in sharing their perspective, listening to others and helping government understand how its decisions affect young people.
Applications close on Friday 11 September 2026.
Find out more and apply to join the Youth Climate and Nature Panel.
Hearing from younger voices
Alongside recruitment for the panel, the government has launched Young Voices for Climate and Nature.
This gives children and young people aged 16 and under the opportunity to share the climate and nature ideas that matter most to them through their school, community, sports, faith or other youth group.
Contributions can take many forms, including videos, artwork, letters, poems, essays, audio recordings and presentations. These ideas will help inform the panel’s work when it begins later this year.
The deadline for entries is Friday 23 October 2026.
Find out more about Young Voices for Climate and Nature and share your ideas.
Help us spread the word
Schools, colleges, charities, youth organisations, community groups and environmental networks all have an important role to play in helping this opportunity reach young people.
Please share details through your networks, membership groups, youth programmes and communications channels, and encourage the young people and youth groups you work with to apply or contribute.
Think particularly about young people whose voices may not usually be heard in national conversations about climate and nature, but whose everyday experiences could bring important insight to the panel.
By bringing a wider range of voices, experiences and ideas into government, we can develop better-informed policies and give young people a meaningful role in shaping the future of our climate and natural environment.
1 comment
Comment by Jody Hollingsworth posted on
I'm an Education Lead for Anglian Water's Reservoirs Programme (two proposed reservoirs being developed for the Fens and Lincolnshire areas). As part of our Education Programme, I'm setting up our own Young Ambassador Forum for 16-17 year olds. I can certainly spread the work on this to them but would also be keen to link up with you to talk to your newly formed groups about the work we are doing.