Ahmedabad,
Gujarat | 9 March 2026
More than 300 students
and over 40 teachers from the Student Police Cadet (SPC) programme of Ahmedabad
City Police came together for the Climate Champions Meet, organised by UNICEF
India and Elixir Foundation in partnership with the Student Police Cadets of
Ahmedabad City Police (Gujarat Police) at Ahmedabad Management Association. The
meet was designed to inspire, equip and empower adolescents to become leaders
of climate action in their communities, turning awareness into action and youth
voices into meaningful change.
Climate action is
becoming one of the defining priorities of current time and young people have
an important role to play in shaping a more sustainable future. Across the
world, children and adolescents are increasingly engaging with environmental
issues and leading conversations on protecting the planet. With nearly one
billion children living in areas highly exposed to climate impacts, empowering
young people with knowledge, skills and leadership opportunities has become
more important than ever. In India too, strengthening climate awareness among
youth is essential so that the next generation can actively contribute to
building resilient and sustainable communities.
Giving the opening
address Mr. Madhish Parikh, Founder and President, Elixir Foundation spoke
about the need to convene young leaders and create platforms where students can
learn about climate challenges and actively contribute to solutions.
Addressing the
champions, Mr. Nagesh Patidar, WASH Specialist and Climate Change and
Environmental Sustainability (CCES) Focal Point, UNICEF, emphasised the power
of youth voices in climate action and shared that “Children are not just the
leaders of tomorrow, they are the conscience of today. When young voices speak
up for the planet, they remind the world that climate action is not only a
policy choice, but a responsibility to the future they will inherit.” He also
highlighted that UNICEF works globally to ensure that children and young people
are not only protected from climate risks but also empowered to participate in
climate solutions, from advocacy and awareness to community action.
The event also
received best wishes from Mr. Naresh Kanzariya, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of
Police and SPC Nodal Officer, Ahmedabad City Police and Ms. Vani Dudhat, Deputy
Superintendent of Police and SPC Deputy Nodal Officer. Representing Ahmedabad
Police, Police Inspector Shri A.Y. Patel encouraged students to act as
responsible citizens and environmental ambassadors in their communities.
During the interactive
sessions, Ms. Gayatri Dave from the Centre for Environment Education (CEE)
explained the concept of climate change in simple terms and highlighted why
urgent climate action is necessary for the well-being of people and the planet.
She shared unique case studies and examples of how students can champion
climate-friendly behaviours such as water conservation, energy saving, tree
plantation, and reducing plastic use.
Mr. Shwetal Shah,
Advisor at GiZ, spoke about leadership in climate change awareness, encouraging
students to take initiative in their schools and communities by promoting
sustainable practices, reducing food wastage, and supporting renewable energy
solutions.
In another engaging
session, Ms. Anjali Choudhary (Sunheri Mitti) demonstrated practical climate
action through composting techniques that students can adopt at home and in
schools. She also facilitated an interactive game on waste segregation and
environmental responsibility, helping students understand how individual
actions can contribute to larger environmental movements.
The programme further
involved students in teaching them to calculate their ecological footprints,
enabling them to reflect on their personal environmental impact. Students also
filled out worksheets capturing their ideas and suggestions, which will be compiled
into policy recommendations reflecting youth perspectives on climate action.
The meet concluded
with a Climate Champions Pledge, where students committed to adopting
sustainable practices and becoming advocates for climate action in their
communities. Through awareness, participation, and youth-led ideas, the Climate
Champions Meet reinforced the message that young people are key partners in
building a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
