Exceptional Green-Schools who have achieved all ten Green Flags over the last 20 years were invited to participate in the pilot of Primary Climate Ambassadors. Since 2022, over 600 students representing 46 schools have completed training in basic climate science, solutions, communications and action. Collectively, these teams completed 88 challenges central to climate literacy, mitigation and adaptation including Blooming Brilliant; Grow It Yourself, and the latest addition; I Like to Move It. We want climate education to empower students and teachers, we want everyone in Ireland to feel the benefits of being closer to nature and we want your schools to be places of inspiring climate action for the whole community. Primary Climate Ambassadors is supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. Please Contact pca@eeu.antaisce.org for any Primary Climate Ambassadors queries.
View the leaderboard
For more information please contact pca@eeu.antaisce.org
Similar to obtaining your green flags, this project runs on a two-year cycle, with the main aspects of the project completed in year 1. Year 2 focuses on maintenance of all your previous flags.
Participation in the PCA programme is built on completing climate challenges. We have ten challenges available, and schools are asked to complete a minimum of two – It can be any two they like! Each challenge has a number of tasks, as well as some bonus activities that share the learning with the whole school, reach out into the community and back to the students’ homes. But first of all, we provide training for teachers and students on basic climate science, solutions, communication and how to take climate action.
Towards the end of the school year, PCA Teams are asked to complete a video report on the work undertaken as part of the programme. Students lead the way and put their communication skills into practice to tell us about their year and their time as Primary Climate Ambassadors. The training, challenges and video report all earn points on the PCA leaderboard, where, at our awards in June, some amazing prizes such as tree planting days, pond kits and nature workshops are on offer!
Explore the challenge map and some stories below to get started on your PCA journey!
Get to the top of the leaderboard, come to our awards and see what prize awaits your school!
Want to get creative with your Climate Change communications? Get inspired by this fantastic rap from Cappabue National School!
The Grow it Yourself Challenge was the most popular challenge of the 23-24 year, with 16 schools completing the challenge. From polytunnels and veg beds, to the ever-trustworthy windowsill, growing your own food can be such a fun activity and it was great to see so much involvement. Whatever your school size and space, there is a way to make every challenge work!
One of the best parts of the Renew Your Energy Challenge is seeing how students would design their dream green school. From clean energy to plenty of spaces to connect with nature, students have really shown off what would make their dream green schools. Check out of the drawings below and be as inspired as we are!
