This resource can be used in schools at the beginning or during COP26 – the annual UN organised climate change summit. However, this year’s conference is a really important one: many climate scientists agree that this is the world’s last chance* to act to bring climate change under control. Over the 12 days of the conference, which is taking place in Glasgow, many countries will be rethinking what they can do and committing to making changes for the benefit of everyone. This prayer informs children about what the conference is, helps them understand what it means for Christians to be called stewards of the Earth and invites them to pray that the world leaders attending will use their decision-making power wisely and compassionately.

*The phrase ‘last chance’ is used in communication about COP26 by its organisers, but we haven’t used it in our video resource to avoid causing children any alarm or upset. The Church agrees that children need to know about climate change – its human causes, impact on the Earth and impact on our brothers and sisters around the world – but we do not want to cause panic. We trust schools to respond sensitively to the pastoral needs of their individual children/classes,