FORWARD-THINKING students at Okehampton College are petitioning the Prime Minister to implement stricter climate change targets within the next decade.

The school is renowned for its green ethos, having won numerous prizes for its renewable energy schemes, including the prestigious Zayed Future Energy Prize, Ashden Award and listing on the Sustainia 100.

Among its schemes are a biomass boiler, solar panels and a wind turbine, all generating clean energy for the college and greatly reducing its energy bills.

The environmental projects are not only reducing the college's carbon footprint and energy bills, but being used to teach students about the importance of renewable energy.

The general election acted as inspiration for the petition, organised by Year 9 students.

Science teacher Sarah McLintock said: 'During the week leading up to the election, Okehampton College ran exciting election-themed lessons relevant to the different departments in college and held a number of secret ballots amongst the students.

'Voting fever took over, and many of the students were dismayed that they were not yet old enough to vote in this election, especially given that many of them had strong views on the subject.

'The science department finished off a topic on the carbon cycle and climate change by looking at the different parties' environmental manifestos and the possible impact of said pledges on global climate change.

'One class of Year 9 students felt so strongly that they should have a say in the future of their planet, that they set up a petition to the government: "Reduce UK carbon dioxide emission by 50% by 2025."

'The students are aiming for 100,000 signatures from as many under 18s in the UK as possible.

'They are spreading it themselves via social media and within school, but they want help to bring the story to the attention of as many young people in the UK as possible to give them a voice, when they are too young to vote.'

If you would like to see the students' petition visit http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/Mn8">www.tinyurls.co.uk/Mn8