HomeDo DofEActivitiesIdeas for activitiesTheme your DofE programme around combating climate change

combat climate change

Climate change and the environment are some of the most important issues facing us today. In ‘Our Future, Unlimited: A Youth Manifesto’, you told us that you want to take action to influence policy around climate change. You also told us you want to be able to focus on environmental and sustainability issues as part of your DofE.

Many participants use their Volunteering section to focus on the environment and climate change. But did you know you can choose activities on this theme for your Skills and Residential too?

We’ve pulled together some suggestions for activities you can do to support the environment, tackle climate change and make a difference. Our Approved Activity Providers (AAPs) offer some of these opportunities.

If you decide to theme your programme around climate change and the environment, we’d love to hear from you. DM us on social media or ask your Leader to email their Operations Officer with your story. And if you have any ideas for other activities we’ve missed, let us know!

Volunteering

Litter picking. Look after your local area by cleaning up and recycling what you can. Register with Surfers Against Sewage (AAP) who will provide you with equipment, including the ability to log your findings, which contributes to campaigns against the polluters.

Through the ‘Power of 10’ digital platform, join other young people to implement environmental projects within your school or community, with Another Way (AAP).

Raise awareness of the environmental benefits of a plant-based diet using our raise awareness programme plan.

Volunteer as a citizen scientist with the British Trust for Ornithology (AAP) and help scientists learn more about what’s happening to birds in the UK.

Register with SwopItUp who works with schools to help bring a fun and unique way to tackle climate change and fight fast fashion, through student led clothes swaps.

Raise awareness of the impact of plastic waste in your school or organisation using our single-use plastics programme template to help you.

Help maintain your local waterways by volunteering with the Canal and River Trust (AAP).

Become a Wildlife Volunteer with the RSPCA (AAP) which will provide you with wider knowledge on animals, the work of the RSPCA and learn about animal welfare.

Take part in the RSPB’s Wild Challenge to do practical activities to help nature on your doorstep (AAP).

Whether you live inland or by the coast, there are lots of ways you can become a champion of our seas – the Marine Conservation Society has several options including as a seaweed search volunteer.

Skills

Take action to help tackle climate change by joining the Young Climate Warriors (AAP).

Follow our 13-week climate cause programme on researching environmental issues and COP29.

Try growing your own vegetables, with The Really Green Gardener (AAP) or create a wildlife garden at home or at school with The Wildlife Trusts.

Investigate the environmental impact of the food industry, and try making a range of tasty plant-based meals with Be in the Kitchen (AAP), Lorna Wing Cookery (AAP), Sassy Stirrers (AAP) or Cookability (AAP).

Create your own ethical business with the Lorna Wing Foundation (AAP), either as a group or individually.

Learn about understanding endangered species and what we can all do to help them with U:Bee (AAP).

Tell others about the importance of environmental sustainability through a range of media, e.g. radio broadcasts or podcasts, blogs, films or writing articles.

Residentials

There are lots of residential opportunities that support the environment or are linked to tackling climate change.

Investigate local opportunities, or have a look at some offered by our AAPs here:

Field Studies Council offers opportunities for young people to engage with the outdoors and learn about the environment so you can make informed choices about how best to protect it.