Scottish Water have for the second year sponsored a schools competition on creative ways to save water, energy and money.

The 13 winners of this years competition, all primary school pupils from across the North-east of Scotland, were presented with awards at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney, who congratulated the children on their creativity and awareness of the issue.

The children, from across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross, were then given a guided tour of the Parliament building.

The competition asked primary aged children to illustrate ways we can all save water, energy and money by using water wisely, either by drawing a picture, painting, taking a photo or writing an illustrated poem. More than 600 entries were received. 

For the past 16 years Scarf have been running the competition to encourage children to consider energy use in the home and to nurture a generation of energy-conscious individuals who will be the leaders and decision-makers of the future.

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Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "We are facing a global climate emergency, and if we are to meet our ambitious climate targets then it is more important than ever that we find ways to save energy and cut our carbon footprint.

"There are things that we can all do in our day-to-day lives to achieve this, and these have been captured brilliantly in this calendar by all the pupils, providing creative ways for people across the north east to use water wisely."

Thane Lawrie, Chief Executive of Scarf also said: "For 35 years Scarf has grown a reputation for being at the forefront of energy efficiency and provides advice to tens of thousands of households and businesses each year.

"It is our children who will inherit our climate and, as evidenced by the global Climate Strike movement, we know they have a desire to be heard and we're proud to be able to give them another platform through this competition.

"This year's competition attracted brilliant entries from across the region and we are delighted to have been able to celebrate the creativity of these youngsters and their engagement in the importance of being conscious of the energy we use on a daily basis."

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs for Scottish Water, added: "A huge amount of energy goes into making and transporting Scotland's great tasting tapwater to homes and businesses so it is vital that everyone uses it wisely.

"We are delighted to continue our work with Scarf to encourage our young people to value the water on which Scotland depends."

(MH)