Gwernyfed High School is celebrating after winning an award in Keep Wales Tidy’s Innovation Challenge, a competition inspired by The Earthshot Prize.

As part of Climate Challenge Cymru, primary and secondary schools across Wales were invited to submit short videos showcasing creative ideas to address one of five global challenges, or ‘Earthshots’: Build a Waste-Free World, Clean Our Air, Fix Our Climate, Protect and Restore Nature, and Revive Our Oceans.

Gwernyfed High School triumphed in the Revive Our Oceans category, gaining recognition for their innovative approach to repurposing discarded plastic bottles. They received their award from Future Generations Commissioner Derek Walker at a special ceremony held in Cardiff on Wednesday, June 25.

From 2021 to 2024, Climate Challenge Cymru was a regional initiative in mid and west Wales, led by the First Minister Eluned Morgan. The competition is now managed nationally by Keep Wales Tidy's Eco-Schools team, in partnership with Welsh Government.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “When I founded the Earthshot Climate Challenge Cymru project in 2021, I wanted to create something different - a platform that would unleash the creativity and passion of young people in Wales to tackle climate change. What makes this project special is that it connects local action with global thinking.

“Across Wales, we've seen incredible partnerships between schools and environmental organisations, where students aren't just learning about climate change - they're taking real everyday climate action.”

Fleur Jones, a Year 9 pupil at Gwernyfed High School said: “Climate Challenge Cymru has been a completely unforgettable experience. The hard work and fun leading up to the competition was amazing.

“The event was utterly inspiring. I found it interesting to see new ideas and meet likeminded people who care for our environment.

The winning videos can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website: www.keepwalestidy.cymru