China Science and Technology Exchange Center and the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which they commit to raising public awareness about climate change for millions of people.

The two partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a two year programme which will utilize the power of young people to spread climate change awareness across society. The programme, known as 'Climate Cool', will work with young people (aged 11-45) in three areas:

• Climate change education in schools for 1800 high school teachers and 200,000 students
• Training for over 1650 journalists and journalism students to enable understanding of climate change issues
• Encouraging low carbon alternatives and adaptation by individuals across society in sectors such as business, the arts, education, science and politics.

The project will enable participants to inform their peers, local communities and wider audiences of the issues surrounding climate change and implement solutions that avert or decrease present threats. The programme will advocate sustainable adaptation and mitigation actions which address climate change issues through the active engagement of young people.

In total, the programme aims to spread climate change awareness information to at least 55 million people in 20 cities in China.
The Climate Cool initiative has been developed in cooperation with China Science and Technology Exchange Center under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Centre for Environment Education and Communication under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and China Metrological Administration. The project will be implemented in Beijing , Shanghai , Guangzhou , Chongqing , Hong Kong, Tianjin , Dalian , Qingdao , Huhhot, Harbin , Shenyang , Wuhan , Xi'an , Baoding , Nanjing , Hangzhou , Xiamen , Fuzhou , Kunming and Chengdu.

The MOU was signed by Sun Hong, Director General of China Science and Technology Exchange Centre, and Joanna Burke, Director of British Council China, and witnessed by Vice-Minister Liu Yanhua, Ministry of Science & Technology, and Ed Miliband, UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The signing ceremony was held in Beijing ’s Jingshan Park at a climate change public awareness event hosted by five Chinese and two British Climate Change Young Ambassadors.

The British Council builds engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide. It operates as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing and Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulates-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. For more information on our activities in China please visit www.britishcouncil.org.cn