School pupils have taken part in a national summit to achieve net zero in engineering.

Two pupils in year 8 and year 9 from Darwen Aldridge Community Academy were part of the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Schools COP Summit which saw over 50 pupils from across the UK come together to explore how engineers are at the heart of addressing the climate crisis.

Alisa and Abigail heard from inspirational engineers at the forefront of reducing the effects of climate change.

They held discussions hosted by broadcaster Fayon Dixon and former BBC presenter Susan Bookbinder that mirrored those being held at the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow.

They brainstormed ideas for how engineering can reduce the carbon footprint of the UK and how they can make an impact on reaching net zero themselves.

Design and Technology teacher, Lisa Morris said: “Many of our young people are passionate about climate change and want to make a difference – to know that they can be involved in initiatives such as this helps to open their eyes, promote passion, problem-solving, teamwork and creative thinking and could open up further opportunities for their futures.

“Ailsa and Abigail were great ambassadors for DACA and we are incredibly proud of their forward-thinking attitudes.”

Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, and event organiser, Dr Hilary Leevers said: “We really appreciated students from Darwen Aldridge Community Academy sharing their thoughts with us at the Schools COP Summit as part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week.

“Achieving net zero is so important for the next generation and hearing directly from young people about how they see engineering behind the solutions was heartening.

“Engineers will be central to finding solutions to the climate emergency we are all facing. We need more engineers to bring their perspectives and skills together to help us work out how to generate affordable and sustainable energy, predict and address extreme weather events and prepare our cities for the future.”