PUPILS across North Yorkshire are being challenged to find ways to go green in a bid to secure hundreds of pounds in prize money.

A recent study found that schools in North Yorkshire were responsible for 70 per cent of the county council’s carbon dioxide emissions.

With the introduction of the Government’s carbon reduction commitment, authorities will now have to buy allowances to cover the CO2 produced in schools.

The more carbon emissions they reduce, the less costly it will be for them.

Practical projects that will reduce carbon emissions in schools or communities could earn pupils extra cash.

The prizes – £1,500 for the winning school and two £750 prizes for the runners up – will be presented at a conference for young people entitled Climate Change Exchange at Thirsk Racecourse in February.

All councils in the county are supporting the Schools’ Climate Change programme, funded through the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and sponsored by the Co-operative Membership and Image Playgrounds.

Through the programme, schools are being helped to find ways of reducing their environmental impact. These new resources will be shared through a series of training events for school staff, head teachers and bursars.

A number of schools have been chosen as pilots for the initiative including Huntington School in York, Malton School, Boroughbridge High School, Scarborough’s Gladstone Road Junior School, Thirsk School and Sixth Form College, Bainbridge Primary School, near Leyburn, Harrogate High School and St John Fisher’s, also in Harrogate.

Coun Michael Harrison, of Harrogate Borough Council, said: “We recognise that schools have a vital part to play in addressing climate change in terms of reducing their CO2 emissions.

“So all councils in the county, whether they are education authorities or not, are working together to support this initiative.

“Another key role of the initiative is to help schools educate the next generation about the consequences of climate change and to support student led environmental projects.”

Anyone interested in the competition or the conference can get in touch via email climatechangeexchange@harrogate.gov.uk or phone 01423 556827.