Food systems in a changing climate: From global to local

Exploring climate resilience and food justice with young people across Scotland
Project Overview:

This project invited young people in urban and rural Scotland to explore how global climate change impacts local food systems—and how their communities might respond. Led by researchers from the University of Aberdeen, pupils from three schools engaged in workshops, field visits, cookery, and collaborative research to understand the environmental, economic, and health dimensions of food production.

From tasting local produce and growing vegetables in a seaside polytunnel to creating posters, recipe books, and Top Trumps cards, the project inspired creative, hands-on learning. A dedicated blog, teacher handbook and briefing paper helped capture the learning and share key findings more widely. The project also generated new teaching materials now used in school curricula and at university level.

Team:

Project Leads:

  • Prof Diana Feliciano

  • Prof Pete Smith

  • Dr Julia Wardle

  • In collaboration with Iain Brown (consultant) and student engagement assistants

Partner Schools:

    • Kemnay Academy

    • Bucksburn Academy

    • Bracoden Primary School

Download Report
Goals & Activities

  • Help pupils understand climate change through the lens of food systems

  • Support schools in delivering interdisciplinary learning through real-world engagement

  • Bridge science and community knowledge with visits, workshops, and local producer involvement

  • Identify knowledge gaps and develop teaching materials to close them

  • Share learning with policy audiences and other educators across Scotland

  • In-school sessions on food systems, imports, emissions and sustainability

  • Community field visits (supermarkets, farms, allotments, cafés, community gardens)

  • Creative outputs including posters, zines, games, recipes and displays

  • Cooking sessions, seed planting and polytunnel growing

  • Knowledge-sharing with a German school and wider community stakeholders

Project Outputs

Handbook for Educators

  • An interdisciplinary guide helping teachers embed climate-focused food systems content across subjects. Addresses common knowledge gaps in how climate change links to agriculture and sustainability.

     

Briefing Note for Curriculum Planning

  • Summarises what pupils currently understand about food and climate—and what they need to know. Supports schools, local authorities and policy leads to evolve teaching strategies accordingly.

     

Public Engagement Media

Downloads & Links
Project Blog & Resources
Climate Food Handbook