Energy: How fair is it anyway?

Youth Panel climate change report published and Wilson Sherriff sign up to Global Leaders Communique on climate change

The Youth Panel set up by the Department of Energy and Climate Change  published its report Energy:  How fair is it anyway? on 3 December 2010.

The Youth Panel is an innovative example of how to involve citizens in developing and advising on future policy. Members of the Panel aged 16 - 26 years old visited power stations, wind farms and other sources of renewable energy and community projects. They interviewed scientific experts, energy companies and campaign groups and consulted other young people before writing their report on the future of energy from the perspective of the young generation.

The launch of the report on 3 December was timed to coincide with the UN Convention on Climate Change. At the launch the Youth Panel took part in a three way dialogue about energy and climate change with other young people in Brussels and Cancun.

Carol Sherriff from Wilson Sherriff supported the work of the Youth Panel and facilitated the discussions and production of the report. Carol said: "This was a really exciting and innovative project. Members of the Youth Panel visited power stations, renewable energy sites such as wind farms and community projects to find out for themselves how we use and produce energy. They interviewed scientific experts, business leaders and campaign groups. Then then discussed amongst themselves and with other young people what types of energy production were in the best interest of younger generations. The report is ground breaking and a real example of collaborative working.

Working with the young people really inspired me to translate our company policy on sustainability into action. The Global Leaders communique on climate change calls for many of the same steps that the Youth Panel's report recommends. Therefore Wilson Sherriff was very pleased to add its name to the communique."

To read the Youth Panel report, click here.