Glasgow school children could have the opportunity to take part in a climate change summit next year to help tackle global warming.
Labour councillor Soryia Siddique is hoping the local authority will invite pupils from all schools throughout the city to lead the way and present their ideas at COP26 next year. She believes this will help raise attainment levels.
The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties, organised by the United Nations, is expected to take place in Glasgow next November.
It comes after a paper on reducing the attainment gap was presented to councillors at an education committee last week.
READ MORE: COP26 summit in Glasgow ‘will help spark more climate action’
Councillor Siddique said: “We have been talking about reducing the attainment gap in numeracy and literacy but we seem to be forgetting about STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.)
“We have got the climate summit in Glasgow next year and I believe these young people could be teaching us a lesson by inviting them to speak at it.
“It would be an amazing opportunity for them to come up with ideas on how to tackle climate change and taking part in school projects before presenting them to a wider audience.
“This is a massive summit and I believe it is really important for our young people to be there and participate. It could also close the attainment gap in STEM subjects.
“It would also be good for the CV long term as you don’t have to have a science background to take part in this project.
READ MORE: Bolder moves needed to tackle climate emergency across Glasgow ahead of COP26 UN summit
“Pupils across Glasgow whether it be the City Centre, West End or East End could join forces and work together to put forward their ideas.
“It could help them do better in their Highers and Advanced Highers at school.”
Glasgow City Council has confirmed that they will be taking steps to allow young people to get involved in COP26.
Education director Maureen McKenna also said that she would bring a paper on learning and sustainability to a future meeting.
A council spokeswoman said: “We will also be discussing with the organisers how we can engage with our young people on the debate around climate change with Glasgow hosting this huge conference as a stimulus for the debate.”
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