Climate change art competition seeks children's drawings before Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow

Art-mad youngsters in Kent are being asked take part in a climate change competition which could see their drawings put on display for world leaders.

The Creative Earth competition is looking for children aged under 16 to draw their hopes for a greener, healthier, happier planet, with the winning creations going on display at the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow later this year.

The competition is part of a UK Government initiative called Together for our Planet and is being run in collaboration with the WWF. It may also provide children in lockdown with an ideal activity to get involved with from home whilst schools remain closed to the majority of pupils.

The aim is for children's artwork from across the country to be used to inspire world leaders, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to create a planet suitable for generations to come when politicians gather in November.

Creative Earth artwork entries will be judged by a celebrity panel and COP26 President Alok Sharma this spring.

Prizes will be awarded for the best artwork in each age group. Judges will also select the best pieces to be displayed at the COP26 summit in November this year.

Here's how to take enter:

• Visit the competition website together-for-our-planet.ukcop26.org/creative-earth to download the circle template.
• Entrants can use the template in whatever way they choose; either print the template out and draw directly onto it, use computer software to create a graphic or draw the circle onto an A4 sheet of paper.
• Whether it is green forests and garden cities, clear skies and wind turbines, or oceans teeming with life, children are being invited to paint, draw or design a piece of art that depicts how they would like our planet to look in the future.
• All entries must be submitted, along with a completed entry form and a competition form signed by a parent or guardian, before 11.50pm on Monday, April 5.

Broadcaster Cel Spelman, who is also WWF ambassador, is amongst those getting behind the children's competition.

He said: “The Creative Earth art competition is such a unique and exciting opportunity for children from across the UK to have their voice heard and show world leaders exactly the kind of world they want to live in, inherit and pass on to future generations.

"I’m asking as many under-16s as possible to please get involved and be part of something special as we aim to create a better, greener, sustainable future and call on world leaders to commit to making that a reality and bring about the change we so desperately need to see, reminding them it’s young people who will live with the consequences of our actions now.”

For more suggestions of things your children can do from home during lockdown click here.