Renewable power retailer Good Energy has appointed a youth board of six secondary school pupils to give their perspectives on climate issues.
The supplier worked with environmental educational charity Eco-Schools to recruit its Good Future Board which was narrowed down from almost 1,000 applications from pupils across the country.
A Good Energy panel, along with its existing board, selected six students in total out of a shortlist of 24.
The youth board will mirror the company’s existing board and will feed in ideas as to how the company is run.
Last Friday (9 April) company founder Juliet Davenport chaired the first meeting of the Good Future Board during which the students were given an introduction and question and answer session with the chief executive. They were also asked for their input on the company’s diversity and inclusion programme.
Davenport said: “We are the energy company that promises about the future, so it was about time we start putting that promise into practice. It has been amazing to see the response we got from opening applications, and we could not have hoped for a more passionate, insightful and brilliant new board. The opportunities for us to learn from them are endless.”
Youth board member Mahnoor Kamran, aged 16, has lived in various parts of South Asia and the Middle East for most of her life where she saw the effects of climate change firsthand.
She said: “Local green energy companies should work alongside those from around the world and offer affordable energy to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
“This is the only way we can make green energy accessible and successful, how can we move towards a healthier future if those that are disadvantaged are marginalised?”
Meanwhile 15-year-old Kathryn Gornall, who is also a member of the Chester Youth Parliament, said: “I wanted to be part of something that would make change on a larger scale.
“Everyone can do small things. I can wash Marmite out of jars, wear bamboo socks and bring my bag for life to Sainsbury’s all I want — those are really important but will not stop the climate crisis.
“It’s what we do collectively, as in big businesses, that can really make a dent in climate emissions.”