A Wiltshire-based energy firm is looking for teenagers in the South West to join its board and advise the company on how to tackle the climate emergency.
Good Energy, which is working with environmental education organisation Eco-Schools, is looking to appoint young people as ‘shadow board directors’ to its so-called ‘Future Board’.
Six students from a range of backgrounds will be appointed to help guide the business on social, climate, environmental and energy issues.
Juliet Davenport, chief executive and founder of Good Energy, said: “Grown-ups have had decades to act on climate change, but have blown it.
“That’s why we are taking the radical step of appointing a youth board. They have a better grasp of climate change and the best ideas on how can save the planet."
According to Good Energy, nearly half of young people in the West of England (46 per cent) say the Covid-19 pandemic has made them worry about their future career chances.
The research, which polled 18 to 34-year-olds from across the UK, found that young people are looking for the chance to protect the planet as they enter the job market.
A third think that green and sustainable sectors offer a more secure career path than those that pollute the planet, while six in 10 (59 per cent) would prefer to work for an environmentally sustainable business.
Good Energy said the average non-executive board director for a FTSE-150 company was more than 60 years old - and it was aiming to “harness the enthusiasm, passion and ideas” of younger people.
Lee Wray-Davies, national manager at Eco-Schools, said: “We know first-hand how passionate and engaged young people are in protecting the environment.
“Energy is an area of huge importance to the future of the planet, and this is a brilliant initiative to make it exciting and get the younger generation involved in shaping the future of the energy industry.
“The Good Energy Future Board will communicate the role of renewable energy in tackling the climate emergency whilst providing kids with a valuable and practical life skill.”
Mary Sue Leonard, school eco-coordinator at Worle Community School in Weston-super-Mare, added: “We have a really engaged community of students at Worle Community School that are passionate about taking action on climate change.
“This is a brilliant opportunity for them to use their enthusiasm and ideas for protecting the environment, while also working on skills that will help them with university and job applications.
“Our pupils are really excited about applying for the Good Energy Future Board, and we would love to see more businesses bring the opinions of the younger generation. That way, our young people can be at heart of creating a more sustainable future.”
