Climate Change and Health
Introduction Students and teachers across the
world are invited to help tackle the
climate crisis ahead of COP28.
Burjeel Holdings and Saïd Business
School at the University of Oxford
have launched the Climate Change
Challenge - a global competition for
high school students (aged 15 to
18) and teachers.
The challenge invites young
people and educators across the
world to contribute their ideas
and take action towards creating
solutions to the greatest and most
complex threat to humanity: the
climate crisis.
The finalists will be invited to
present their solutions to a
distinguished audience in Dubai,
during COP28 in December, and
the winners will be invited to
the United Kingdom where
there will be given the unique
opportunity to take part in a
tailored climate change programme
at Saïd Business School in Oxford
next year, led by world-leading
academics. For finalists and
winners, all expenses will be
covered by Burjeel Holdings and
Oxford Saïd. They will also gain
access to a vibrant community
of influential entrepreneurs and
thought leaders in innovation
and social impact from around
the globe.
Why are we The next generation will inherit a
planet suffering from the extreme
doing this? effects of climate change, in ways
we do not yet understand. We do
know that no country, continent or
community will be left untouched.
From the devastation wrought by
drought and flood, threatening the
supply of food and water, to the
ever-rising number of climate change
refugees, tomorrow’s leaders will
have significant climate change
challenges to contend with.
Tomorrow’s leaders will
have significant climate
change challenges to
contend with
What do we want We want to inspire high school
students and teachers across the
people to do? world to bring their innovation,
creativity and problem-solving skills,
in generating unique solutions to
tackle this crisis, whether at a local,
national or global level.
In their entries, we are asking
entrants to respond to one of five
key climate change challenges:
Burjeel Holdings, one of the leading
healthcare providers in the Middle
East, is an organisation committed
to protecting life. Oxford Saïd, one of
Europe’s leading business schools, is
committed to giving future business
leaders the tools and knowledge
to innovate in creating a better,
safer, cleaner world. That is why,
together, we have launched a global
competition for today’s teachers and
tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs
and change makers, that seeks to
protect life on Earth.
air pollution
extreme weather events
food security
the spread of disease carried
by insects
water scarcity
 1
Air Pollution
Air pollution, caused by factors such as industrial
emissions and vehicle exhaust, contributes to
respiratory problems and other health issues.

Students can explore innovative ways to reduce

air pollution, such as developing sustainable
transportation options or creating air filtration
systems for homes and schools.

2
Extreme Weather Events
Climate change leads to more frequent and
intense extreme weather events like hurricanes,
droughts and heatwaves - each of which has a
significant impact on health.

High school students can brainstorm solutions

to help communities better prepare for and
respond to these events, like designing
early warning systems, developing resilient
infrastructure, or creating sustainable farming
practices through what is called agritech.
3
Food Security
Climate change impacts agriculture, making
it harder to produce enough food to feed
everyone. Food scarcity directly impacts
nutrition, and malnutrition is a major risk
factor for many diseases.

High school students can explore solutions

to improve food security, like vertical farming
techniques, sustainable farming practices,
or developing climate-resilient crop varieties.

4
The spread of disease
carried by insects
Climate change affects the spread of diseases
carried by insects, like mosquitoes.

Students can brainstorm innovative methods to

prevent and control vector-borne diseases, such
as creating eco-friendly mosquito repellents,
designing smart traps, or developing strategies
for disease surveillance and prevention.
5
Water Scarcity
Climate change affects water availability,
leading to droughts in some areas and floods in
others. Having too little water can contribute to
significant health issues, while floods can cause
other health hazards.

Students can propose ways to conserve water

and manage resources more effectively, such
as implementing rainwater harvesting systems,
developing innovative irrigation methods,
or designing water filtration systems for
communities in need.
How do We want you to set out your big idea,
explain your inspiration, show how
students enter? you think it will make a difference
and consider how your solution
could be turned into a reality.
Your team can include students
from just a single school, or from
multiple schools.
Please go to www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/
about-us/school/sustainability/
climate-change-challenge web page
where you will find our ‘save the
planet’ button. Press that button and
you will be able to submit your entry.
All entries must be submitted in this
way.
How do We are asking high school
teachers to set the agenda in the
teachers enter? classroom with lessons that raise
awareness among students about
the dangers of climate change,
and encourages them to think
creatively about solving. Please
go to www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/
school/sustainability/climate-change-
challenge web page where you will
find our ‘save the planet’ button.
Entries for both competitions must be received
by 11.59pm (GMT) on 15 October 2023.
Entries must:
be from a team of 3-5 students
aged 15 -18. Entries from
individuals will not be accepted
be submitted in the form of
a 10-page PowerPoint
presentation
include a video you have made
of up to three minutes in length,
which can be uploaded along with
your PowerPoint presentation
include a completed consent form
for each student, signed by a
parent or guardian. This form can
be downloaded from the website
Press that button and you will be
able to submit your entry. All entries
must be submitted in this way.
Entries must:
be from an individual teacher.
Team entries will not be accepted
include a series of lesson plans,
which you aim to make part of
your school’s curriculum
How will student Identifying the problem Ethical considerations and
wider impact, is the approach
entries be judged? Research and analysis of the issue
inclusive and fair?
Level of innovation and creativity
Sustainability and long-term
Feasibility and practicality of impact of the proposal
implementing your solution
Overall impression -
The impact and stability of professionalism, passion
solution, is it scalable? and commitment
Clarity of presentation

Collaboration and teamwork

Entries will be judged

against the following
criteria, for student
teams and teachers.

How will teacher Educational impact Ethical considerations and

stakeholder impact
entries be judged? Alignment with curriculum
Practicality and replicablity
Innovation and creativity
Overall impression - passion
Clarity and structure
and commitment
Engagement and student
participation

Assessment and evaluation

Integration of technology
What happens next? A panel of international judges, with
expertise in business, healthcare
and climate change solutions, is
currently being selected and will
soon be announced. Once the
competition closes (on 15 October
2023) judges will begin scoring the
entries with finalist student teams
and teachers announced at the
beginning of November.
All finalists will be invited to an
award ceremony during COP28 in
Dubai on 8 December. The winners
will then be invited to attend
a tailored climate change
programme in spring 2024 at
Oxford Saïd in Oxford, England,
taught by Saïd Business School’s
world renowned academics.
Finalists and winners will not have
to pay to attend COP28 or the
course in Oxford; all expenses will
be covered by Burjeel Holdings and
Oxford Saïd.
Email us if you have any
questions about the competition.
climatechallenge@sbs.ox.ac.uk