IKEA UK has today launched a nationwide competition giving school children the chance to win £2,000 towards projects which will help reduce their school’s carbon footprint.
The retailer is working in partnership with the Let’s Go Zero campaign, coordinated by climate solutions charity, Ashden, which calls on all UK schools to become carbon zero by 2030.
The competition encourages teachers, nursery children, primary and secondary pupils to sign up and submit ideas which will make their school more sustainable – whether reducing emissions or increasing biodiversity – as part of a wider drive to unite communities in doing their bit to fight climate change.
Four schools from across the UK will receive help from IKEA staff to bring their ideas to life, with the winners announced in April. The retailer will provide products (up to the value of £2,000 for each project), solutions and sustainable living expertise.
It’s the second year IKEA has run the competition in partnership with Let’s Go Zero, with schools and sixth form colleges in Lewisham, Sheffield, Glasgow and Cardiff selected to receive help with their projects last summer.
Local IKEA staff worked with each of the schools to implement their ideas – which included an old storage closet transformed into a uniform swap shop, vegetable growing and bee keeping areas, and a sustainability resource learning hub for pupils.
More than 1,980 schools, colleges and nurseries have signed up to Let’s Go Zero since the initiative launched in November 2020, totalling 931,740 pupils and 147,854 staff across the UK.
Marsha Smith, deputy country retail manager at IKEA UK and Ireland, says: “We want to create a positive impact through sustainability and inspire people to do their bit in looking after our shared home – the planet. Schools can play a huge role in educating future generations and empowering all young people to take climate action. That’s why we’re thrilled to be working with Ashden for a second year, in support of the Let’s Go Zero Campaign.
“Last year’s competition was a huge success, and in 2023 we’d love to get even more schools involved in doing their bit for the planet. From growing vegetables to composting and designing eco classroom areas, the sky’s the limit. We can’t wait to see the entries, and to work with four winners to bring their ideas to life.”
Alex Green, Schools Lead at Let’s Go Zero, says: “We are delighted to be working with IKEA again on the Let’s Go Zero campaign and this exciting competition. Schools are at the heart of our communities, and we know that by supporting projects within schools we can inspire our young people, and their families and communities to be real climate champions.”
According to Let’s Go Zero, schools will play a critical role in helping the UK cut carbon emission levels, with the power to prevent 625,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Visit here for more information on how to enter the IKEA Let’s Go Zero Competition. Also head over to the Let’s Go Zero’s website to sign up and support the campaign at https://letsgozero.org/.
Competition entries will be judged by a panel from IKEA and Ashden, who will select four winning designs to be created, with winners announced in April. Entries are now open and will close at midnight on 20th March.
