Oban youngsters awarded for their schools’ climate action

Park Primary School in Oban is one of three schools and nurseries in Argyll to be awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful was delighted to award Park Primary, Kilninver Primary School pupils and tots from Apple Tree Nursery Ltd in Bute the green accolade.

The international award recognises nurseries and schools which have demonstrated a commitment to the EcoSchools Scotland programme and over two years have engaged their whole school community in local climate action.

All the schools took part in a variety of fantastic litter-busting and climate action activities, including litter picks, litter surveys, recycling and community clean-ups.

To complete the Green Flag journey each school has a choice of 10 topics to engage with, from climate action, to food and the environment, to litter, to energy.

The schools also choose one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to link their Eco-Schools work to.

Catherine Gee, deputy chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: ‘I’d like to congratulate the Eco-Committee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have stepped up to play their part in combating climate change and achieve their Green Flag Award.

‘It’s great to hear about the progress schools have made towards their Green Flags – up and down the country, pupils and staff are working hard growing, litter-picking and learning.

‘Thousands have also engaged with our live lessons recently and the next, on water, is coming up on June 6-10.

‘Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children, young people and educators through our Climate Action Schools activities to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet and work towards our goal of a net zero future.’

Through the Eco-Schools Scotland programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful aims to make action to tackle climate change and environmental awareness an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of schools, for both pupils and for staff.

The programme provides a framework to engage the wider school community in climate action aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability.