Sky Kids Doc Addresses UN Climate Change Conference

Sky has slated the one-off documentary COP26: In Your Hands to launch on Sky Kids and the NOW streaming service ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Introduced by HRH The Prince of Wales, the doc features commentary from U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as host of COP26. It features six young climate activists from six different continents who deliver a powerful message about how climate change is already having an impact on their lives and deliver an emotive call to action.

The teenagers representing the world’s six habitable continents in the documentary are Darielen, aged 15 from Brazil; Hannah, aged 17 from the U.K.; Kynan, aged 16 from Indonesia; Queen, aged 17 from Cameroon; Sophia, aged 15 from Canada; and 16-year-old Tamsyn, from Australia. Each film explores how these countries are already seeing the devastating impact of climate change—including rising temperatures, ice caps melting, droughts, flooding, bushfires, wildlife depletion and soya plantations—and highlights some of the inspirational projects in their countries tackling the climate emergency.

Along with being made available to watch on Sky Kids and NOW on October 18, COP26: In Your Hands will be available for streaming directly into every school in the U.K. on First News Education TV, the online channel from First News.

Lucy Murphy, director of kids’ content at Sky, said: “We all have a responsibility to do what we can to help protect our planet for the next generation. With Sky Kids, we want to produce content that not only inspires, excites and engages young people but also helps them learn about important issues such as climate change. COP26: In Your Hands features six incredible teenagers, whose actions and words I believe will really resonate with our audiences. I hope this film inspires many to take action.”

Chris Rogers, creative director of Fresh Start Media, said: “Greta Thunberg has been a great inspiration for so many young people. But when we set out to make this documentary, we really wanted to get a sense of who else was out there doing great work to highlight what’s been happening with our climate. This program is really a message in a bottle to world leaders. These young activists want the politicians not just to talk about climate change or make more announcements about what they’re going to do in the distant future, but to listen to what they have to say and take action now.”

Jackie Edwards, head of The Young Audiences Content Fund, said: “The YACF exists to support the creation of unique and diverse shows for children and young people in this country. We are thrilled to have supported COP26: In Your Hands, which will give young audiences in the U.K. the opportunity to have their voices heard and their views on change reflected on screen.”