Caerphilly County Borough Council has voted to become a Deforestation Free Champion!
We want Wales to be a responsible and ethical nation which makes sure that the things we buy in Wales only ever protect tropical forests from deforestation, so we are very excited to announce this brilliant news!
We know from our forest partners around the world that deforestation is often connected to the things we eat and drink: coffee, cacao, palm oil, soy and beef. So by working together- schools, communities and councils- we can make a big difference to slow deforestation and climate change.
Passionate pupils share their knowledge on deforestation
In June 2026, Waunfawr Primary School year 6 pupils decided to take the councillors of Caerphilly County Council- which buys the school dinners for the whole county- back to school to learn all about tropical forests and the impact we have on them.
‘Don’t worry, in this school lessons feel like games, adults learn from students. And dinner time might be the most important lesson of all!’
The councillors then had lessons to learn about how everyday ingredients that are in our school menus are connected to the deforestation and destruction of tropical forests, such as palm oil; soy used for animal feed; beef from South America, and cacao in chocolate.
School meals that help people and planet: and are tasty too!
The children also presented the councillors with innovative meals that would be perfect for any school menu: nutritious, affordable, and free from links to deforestation. Cooking with MasterChef champion James Nathan and local sustainable chef Angharad Underwood of the Cook Along Clwb, they created a menu for a sustainable future.
Experimenting with the flavours and taste-testing was an important part of the process, with pupils even taking their delicious creations to Caerphilly Food Festival to test them on the public!
The message to the council was clear- work with us to build a deforestation free future.
‘Because the future is not something children simply inherit. It is something we build together. So, councillors, will you help us build a world with tropical forests, one meal at a time?’
This milestone shows how taking action in our schools and communities can make a global difference. As Deforestation Free Champion, Caerphilly County Borough Council will not only protect tropical forests but also ensure healthier and better food for schools in Wales.
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