The Climate Change Champions programme ran for the first time in the academic year 2007-08.

Last year over 20 schools took part and in total were able to reduce their combined carbon footprint by a staggering 67.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide - enough to fill 13.5 hot air balloons!

Park Grove Primary in York achieved the greatest reduction of their carbon footprint of 26%!

"The children are immensely pleased with the school’s achievement and look forward to seeing the renewable energy installation arrive. They have found working closely with the volunteers from Norwich Union highly valuable and all now feel more aware of their role to play in helping reduce the impact of climate change.’
Rebecca Tait, teacher at Park Grove Primary School.

Archbishop of York Junior School gathered nearly 1000 pledges from friends, family and the local community, committing to take action to reduce their personal impact on the environment.

‘The children have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this project. They have found learning about their contribution to climate change wholly worthwhile. I am incredibly proud of the pupils who have all worked so hard at cajoling friends and family to join in and pledge to take action on their own carbon footprints.’
Jonathan Green, head teacher at Archbishop of York Junior School.

Stanley Primary School in Perth, Scotland, provided the most innovative idea in how to reduce their carbon footprint.

‘This has been a wonderful project for whole school involvement. From the outset, the children were motivated to make a difference locally, to reduce our carbon footprint and their enthusiasm has spilled over into the entire community. We have recommended Norwich Union and Global Action Plan to other schools, as the potential for citizenship and learning across the curriculum is immense.’
Beryl Smeaton, teacher at Stanley Primary School.