Cairns Youth Climate Summits

Cairns Regional Council has held two climate summits for our region's young people - the first in 2019, and a second event in 2021.

The summits are an important avenue for youth in Cairns to share their aspirations for our environment and climate, learn from experts about the effects of climate change, and form networks of like-minded individuals.

Enquiries: sustainability@cairns.qld.gov.au

2021 Cairns Youth Climate Summit

More than 30 senior school children from across the region outlined their hopes, ideas and suggestions for climate action at Tanks Arts Centre in September 2021 as part of the development of Council’s Cairns Climate Change Strategy 2030.

The summit was one of three community and industry climate forums held by Council, and was attended by more than 10 schools across the Cairns, Tablelands and Innisfail regions.

Students considered actions for sectors like business and industry, housing and construction, natural environments and transport industries and presented their ideas to Cairns Regional Councillors.

2019 Cairns Youth Climate Summit

At the inaugural Cairns Youth Climate Summit in late 2019, students received specialised education from Council, university and industry experts in science, planning, policy, economic development, energy management and community engagement.

They developed a collective aspirational statement and presented their top ideas for key action areas: Powering our future, Nature-based solutions, You and your community, Reef and Rainforest resilience, Infrastructure, cities and transport and Industry transitions. The summit also involved:

An online survey of students in high schools across the Cairns region, completed by 227 students.
A full day Planning Workshop on the 18th of October 2019, with 35 Student Delegates nominated from local high schools.
A Leaders Panel Event at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre on the 13 November 2019, with student presentations delivered to a panel of industry leaders.