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2021 competition

A joint competition run by the Society and the Financial Times.

2021 competition 

The 2021 Essay Competition, organised in partnership with the Financial Times, asked students to explain how transport changes might help the world to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. The competition sought thoughtful and well-argued responses to the topic, which was based around the COP26 conference aim to consider, among other actions, how changing our methods and practices of transporting people and goods will help towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The competition was open to all A Level geography students (or equivalent) aged 16-18. We are delighted with the high quality of the entries received.

Overall winner

  • Cameron Allan, Royal Grammar School Guildford

Read the winning essay

Highly Commended

  • Michael Bryant, Tendring Technology College

  • Camilla Handel, St Mary's School Ascot

  • Lawrence Lee, Bancroft's School, London

  • Gracie May, Dubai College

The judges were looking for:

  • A clear essay or ArcGIS StoryMap which is well-evidenced and reaches a clear conclusion

  • Submissions that didn't exceed 1,000 words

  • Referenced sources of information and data

  • Submissions which are the young people's own work and relevant to the title and guidance

You can find further information about sustainability and climate change using the Society's and FT for Schools online resources

The winning essay will be published in Routes Journal.

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.