Hard-won momentum behind campaigns to mitigate our impact on the environment risks being lost as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supply chain bottlenecks, and runaway inflation leave governments wary of financial hardship at home.

So how do ministers keep climate change at the top of the agenda without exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis for citizens? That’s where you come in…

The School of Politics and Economics’ annual Policy Pitch competition is back for 2023 and we’re on the lookout once more for creative submissions from our students.

Now in its third year, the competition has attracted some standout ideas from both individuals and teams and even resulted in policies that have gone on to have real-world impact.

This year, students are tasked with suggesting an environmental policy that could be implemented by the UK’s central government to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

You can find the brief in full HERE. 

Last year, the top prize was taken home by a team whose policy aimed to reduce the cost of carbon capture and encourage more UK companies to utilise the technology.

This year, there will once again be cash prizes available for the best entries, as judged by our expert panel:

• Jill Rutter (Institute for Government)
• Aoife O'Leary (Opportunity Green)
• Dr Francesca Pia Vantaggiato (King’s College London)
• Alex Luke (Onward)

The event is open to both teams of up to three and to individuals (undergraduates only) and the final will be taking place on 1 March. Ahead of the competition, entrants are asked to submit a policy outline of 300-500 words. Entries will then be shortlisted and the finalists asked to prepare a presentation for judges.

The deadline for submitting the policy outline is 23:59 on Sunday, 1 February.

Further information can be found in the brief.