2020 competition
The 2020 Essay Competition, organised in partnership with the Financial Times, asked students to discuss the geographical story behind a chosen set or sets of data related to sustainability and climate change. The competition sought thoughtful and well-argued responses to the topic, which was based around the COP-26 2021 aims ‘to increase climate ambition, build resilience and lower emissions’, and was open to all A Level geography students aged 16 – 18 in the UK. We are delighted with the high quality of the entries received. We are pleased to be able to provide the winning essays here.
Overall winner
Reuben Meadows (All Saints RC School, York)
Highly commended entries
In addition, given the range and depth of entries received, the Society and Financial Times have recognised four other essays submitted with highly commended awards:
Jack Doran (Birkenhead School, Oxton)
Benjamin Xavier Jacob (St Paul's School, London)
Marina Semple (St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon)
Clara Zibell (Southbank International School, London)
You can view the winning entries in the downloads box at the bottom of this page.
The judges were looking for:
- A clear essay which is well evidenced and argues for a point of view
- Submissions which do not exceed the word limit of 800 words
- Referenced sources of information and data
- Submissions which are the young people's own work
This competition was open to all geography students aged 16-18 in the UK.
The Society launched this competition in partnership with the Financial Times as part of its Education Programme to support geography teachers and their pupils. Your school can become a School Member of the Society, and you and your pupils can join respectively as a Fellow or Student Member.
