Tanya has experience working with an NGO in Bangladesh and has seen first-hand the impact of rising sea levels on coastal communities. She was particularly frustrated by what she felt was a lack of concrete action at the last COP summit in the United Arab Emirates.

She added: “When the announcement from the last COP summit was made, it was incredibly disheartening because there is a need for urgent action. We are already seeing real world impacts, particularly in the global south.”

This year’s policy pitch was held on 28 February and saw five teams of students from across the School of Politics and Economics present their ideas to a panel of judges.

On the panel this year were; Chloé Nemo Ramirez (senior analyst at Climate Change Committee); Tom Sasse (public policy editor at the Economist); Aoife O'Leary (head of Opportunity Green, a non-profit using law and economics to solve international climate issues); and Dr Francesca Vantaggiato (senior lecturer in public policy at King’s).

In second place this year were the UCultivate team, Ruth and Ilma, was proposed reducing emissions from food production and transportation by subsidising farmers and merchants to directly sell sustainable products to universities.

And third place went to Alice and Anni for their ‘greening permit’ policy. Under the policy, rural homeowners would receive grants of up to £15,000 to retrofit energy-efficient heating and electricity systems.

Also taking part this year was Maria, who presented a policy that aimed to empower community energy storage schemes in the UK, and Curtis, who proposed a sustainable housing bond to fund both green industry and improve the ability of young people to become homeowners.

As well as a reception and opportunity to network, the finalists were given the chance to hear from the winners of the first ever SPE Policy Pitch competition, which took place in 2020 and was won by Jasper, Marcia and Leonardo – who developed their prize-winning idea into a start-up business called Carbon Tag.