Gone are the days when earning a Girlguiding badge meant sewing on a button or decorating a cake. Today, girls are being encouraged to build bug hotels, reduce plastic pollution and help look after green spaces.

This week, Girlguiding UK launched a wave of new badges, placing environmental consciousness at the heart – in a move that reflects Britain’s growing shift towards sustainability.

The 72 new badges mark one of the most significant updates in the organisation’s 115-year history.

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Designed with input from girls across the UK, the refreshed selection encourages Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers to engage with global issues – from the climate emergency to biodiversity loss – as well as take local action.

The launch also features a brand new gardening badge, designed to inspire Rangers (Guiders aged 14 to 18) to learn garden planning and maintenance on a one-year programme.

Girlguiding UK

“The launch of these new badges is a huge moment for Girlguiding,” said Amanda Azeez, Girlguiding Acting CEO.

“They’ve been designed by girls, for girls… [to help us stay] relevant to girls’ wants and needs.”

Girlguiding UK has more than 300,000 members across the country, from four to 18. With thousands of girls expected to work towards the new badges, there is a good chance that today’s eco-conscious Brownies may become tomorrow’s environmental leaders.

New Girlguiding badges with an environmental focus:

Girlguiding UK

For Rainbows (4-7): The Great Outdoors, Bee Rescuer

For Brownies (7-10): Birdwatching, Wayfinder, Animal helper

For Guides (10-14): Entomology, Biodiversity, Clean planet