Waterford City and County Council's Climate Action Team have hosted its first Student Climate Conference in City Hall.

The conference which was opened by Councillor Joe Conway invited secondary schools from across Waterford City and County to attend.

During the conference the students learned about the Local Authority’s creation and implementation of its Climate Action Plan, and how younger people can not only engage with Local Authorities but play a role in the collective decision-making process, and share their thoughts and experiences of climate issues. Each partaking school was represented by a teacher and student 'climate ambassadors'.

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Cian Gill, Climate Action Officer with Waterford City and County Council said: "We are very excited to hear from the student population. This conference not only gives them the opportunity to learn about Waterford City and County Council’s pathway to carbon neutrality, but we can learn from their lived experiences, feedback and ideas. This input will be invaluable as we work together to help create a society that is no longer beholden to the detriments of climate change."

Ireland has a national Climate Action Plan to deliver on the National Climate Objective for Ireland to become a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and carbon neutral economy by no later than the end of 2050. Waterford City and County Council is creating a Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions across its own operations.

Photograph: Patrick Browne