Fyffes has partnered with the UK-based social enterprise Future We Want to launch a pioneering carbon literacy programme aimed at helping thousands of young people better understand sustainability and climate issues — and take practical action to reduce food waste in their communities.
The collaboration, set to run for between two and four years, will introduce the ‘How Bad Are Bananas?’ youth education initiative across 13 national youth organisations in the United Kingdom. As part of the programme, youth leaders will receive tailored resources and training to deliver fun, interactive, and impactful climate education sessions.
Inspired by the well-known book How Bad Are Bananas? by sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee, professor at Lancaster University, the course translates complex carbon data into clear, relatable lessons that promote awareness and action.
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“Bananas often get unfairly associated with high carbon footprints simply because they’re tropical,” explained Caoimhe Buckley, Fyffes’ director of corporate affairs. “In fact, they are one of the world’s most climate-friendly fruits, with very low emissions. We’re proud to support an initiative that helps young people understand sustainability in an engaging and accessible way.”
One of the highlights of the programme is ‘The Bananas Game’, a creative learning tool based on Berners-Lee’s research that encourages discussion about carbon footprints, waste reduction, and everyday lifestyle choices that make a real environmental difference.
“Our goal is to give youth leaders the skills and confidence to inspire climate action in their local communities,” added Dr Emma Fieldhouse, director of Future We Want. “Sometimes, sparking that conversation can be as simple — and as powerful — as starting with a banana.”
