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Global leaders and innovators in tackling the climate crisis come together to judge student competition

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Oxford University Press, Digital Camp and Eden Project lend support with lesson plans and events, to inspire action in classrooms across the world.

The Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge, a ground-breaking competition inviting high school students and educators worldwide to contribute their innovative ideas to combat the climate crisis, has today announced a panel of international judges who will review entries to the hotly anticipated competition.

The strong judging panel, made up of influential thought-leaders, founders, CEOs and global entrepreneurs, will collaborate to mark entries from groups of students, aged 15 to 18, presenting their proposals for addressing the climate crisis.

They will also judge entries from high school teachers, who are asked to submit climate change lesson plans that raise awareness and inspire students to think creatively about tackling one of the most pressing concerns of our time.

At a time when the world is dealing with a climate crisis, initiatives like these are the beacons of hope for a better future and resonate deeply with the United Nations vision of empowering youth in realising the Sustainable Development Goals

Amir Dossal

Competition Judge, Founder & President, Global Partnerships Forum, Distinguished Fellow, WEF

The panel of judges for the competition includes:

*Oxford Saïd alumni

Judges share their expert insights

As we transition to a net zero economy, we urgently need every sector to de-carbonise; engaging youth through challenges will help to accelerate this pace of change.

Ashley Thomas

Competition Judge and former Innovations/Early Pipeline Project Lead, X, The Moonshot Factory

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The Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge culminates in a ceremony for finalists during COP28 in Dubai, in December – five teams from the student category and five individuals from the teacher category.

They will have the remarkable opportunity to present their solutions to a distinguished audience in Dubai, and the winners will earn a coveted spot in a bespoke programme at Oxford Saïd next year. They will also gain access to a vibrant community of influential entrepreneurs and thought leaders in innovation and social impact from around the world.

The initiative, forged through a partnership between one of Europe's leading business schools and one of the Middle East's premier healthcare providers, aims to give young people the visibility and recognition they deserve on the global stage. As the climate crisis looms large, it is crucial to address the challenges that future generations will face in the coming decades.

Speaking about the competition, Amir Dossal, President, Global Partnerships Forum, and Distinguished Fellow, Health & Healthcare, World Economic Forum, said, 'The Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge is a remarkable platform for young minds and educators.  At a time when the world is dealing with a climate crisis, initiatives like these are the beacons of hope for a better future and resonate deeply with the United Nations vision of empowering youth in realising the Sustainable Development Goals.  By catalysing the next generation’s commitment to climate action, we will increase the chances of restoring our planet back to good health.  I am excited to support this competition and I eagerly anticipate reviewing the entries as I believe they carry the seeds of transformative solutions that can shape a more sustainable future.'

Shikhar Malhotra, competition judge; Director and Board Member, HCL Corporation; and Chancellor, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, added, 'As we navigate the complexities of climate change, it is essential to empower the next generation with the knowledge and tools to make a difference. Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and I am thrilled to join this esteemed panel of judges to support and recognise the efforts of these young innovators. I believe that this competition will not only spark creativity but also drive real change in our fight against climate change.'

Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and the need to find innovative solutions is now critical.

Zoe Cokeliss Barsley

Competition Judge, Director of Sustainability, Oxford University Press

Fellow judge and Chief Data and Analytics Officer at ApolloMed, Dr Yubin Park, said:

'In my role as Chief Data and Analytics Officer at ApolloMed, I have witnessed the power of data and insights in addressing complex healthcare challenges. Similarly, data-driven approaches are crucial in tackling climate change. I am eager to see how students and teachers leverage data and analytics in their proposals and lesson plans.'

Echoing the sentiments of fellow judges, Zoe Cokeliss Barsley, Director Of Sustainability, Oxford University Press, said,

'Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and the need to find innovative solutions is now critical. The Climate Change Challenge is an incredible opportunity for young people and educators to put their minds to solving the crisis, and to share their ideas on a global stage. I’m delighted to be involved as a judge and I can’t wait to see the ideas they come up with.'

Judge and Oxford Saïd alum, Ashley Thomas, an entrepreneur and engineer with 15-years’ experience in climate technology, said of the opportunity:

'Today’s youth will enter the workforce in a world that is drastically different to the one I entered. They will have to navigate in a world dealing with extreme effects of climate change while (hopefully) experiencing the most rapid change in infrastructure, supply chains, and global economics that the world has seen to date, as we transition to a net zero economy. We urgently need every sector to de-carbonise; engaging youth through challenges will help to accelerate this pace of change.’

Data-driven approaches are crucial in tackling climate change. I am eager to see how students and teachers leverage data and analytics in their proposals and lesson plans.

Dr Yubin Park

Competition Judge, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at ApolloMed

To equip students and teachers in entering the challenge, the Eden Project has offered free access to a lesson plan, ‘Climate Response - Doers, Shoppers, Learners, Shouters’ and further teaching resources, to facilitate Climate Conversations in the classroom.

Oxford University Press will be connecting with its extensive reach of teachers and schools across the globe, to encourage them to get involved in the competition.

Digital Camp is engaging its global network of technology and business professionals to support students and teachers to build green tech projects with mentoring.

There will also be a series of free-to-access, live-streamed events, designed to support both students and teachers in their planning, ready to submit their Climate Change Challenge by 15 October:

  • Saturday 23 September: Digital Camp online workshop for students
  • Wednesday 4 October: Eden Project live event, streamed from the Rainforest Biome in Cornwall, UK
  • Monday 9 October: Climate Change Challenge live Q&A event, hosted by Saïd Business School, featuring challenge judges and Oxford climate change academics

The winning student team and educator will be awarded an exclusive opportunity to attend specially curated courses at Oxford Saïd in the spring of 2024, located within the prestigious University of Oxford.

Learn more about the Climate Change Challenge