School children from across the capital are meeting at London City Hall are today debating the role of plastics and the environment as part of the Plastics 2020 Challenge.

The event is being held at the debating chamber in City Hall and comes two days after representatives of the British Plastics Federation met with energy minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to discuss UK energy security.

Jon Sopel from the BBC's Politics Show is chairing the debate and the pupils will be supported by scientific author Mark Everard and BPF director general Peter Davis.

A panel of judges, chaired by Peter Jones, the mayor's adviser on waste and the environment, will award £1,000 to the school that is deemed to win the debate.

Judge Jan-Erik Johannson, who is regional director of Plastics Europe, said: "It's great to see such an enthusiastic attendance from the schools and a keenness to join the cut and thrust of debate in such an interesting setting. We are delighted to bring the debate about plastics to London."

Energy security

On Wednesday (25 November), a BPF delegation met energy minister Lord Hunt to discuss the UK's energy security and, particularly, the impact of possible shortages in 2015-2017.

Hunt said that 18 gas storage facilities were in the pipeline a new faster planning system would come into force next year. A first nuclear power station will come on stream by the end of 2017.

The BPF was also keen to promote energy from waste and the minister said that the government supported this it should be championed by local authorities.

BPF president Paul Jukes said the delegation had found the minister "ready to listen, and able to give clear, concise answers". "He was optimistic about future energy suppliers without giving firm promises."

The Plastics 2020 Challenge was launched in July in a bid to reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfill.