A TEENAGER from Ayr is one of 12 young filmmakers taking Scotland to the world stage at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November this year.

Scarlett Alexander, 16, has been unveiled as part of a team of filmmakers aged between 16 and 21 who have been selected by Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF) and COP26 Principal Partner ScottishPower to film, direct, present and produce content which will be broadcast daily to a global audience as COP TV during the conference.

Scarlett is interested in the relationship between media and the environment and through this exciting opportunity, hopes to gain experience in camera work and editing.

She explained: “I am into lots of different fashion and music and I’ve been taking an interest lately not just in media and climate but how media can be more climate and carbon conscious.

“I’m totally fascinated by the technology of broadcasting and I hope to get a real chance through COP TV to gain experience in camera work and editing.

“I’m currently making my own personal film for COP TV about waterways

near my home town.”

Scott Mackay, SYFF co-founder who has been working with the young people this summer, said of the global project: “COP TV is a fantastic opportunity for young people to influence the climate change conversation on a global stage – to bring the voice of young Scotland to the world and the world to the young people of Scotland.

“Working with the team, I am so impressed with the knowledge, passion and enthusiasm they bring to the film-making process. They are a credit to Scotland and will be fantastic young ambassadors both to the delegates and climate change influencers we interview and to the global audience watching our daily broadcast.”

Dr Sam Gardner, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability at ScottishPower, said: “We need everyone to play their part in tackling the climate emergency and we’ve already seen that the enthusiasm and determination of young people can not only influence the decision-makers, but can result in real and lasting change.

“I’m delighted to meet the team from COP TV and I look forward to seeing the stories and news they capture during COP broadcast worldwide.”