"Countdown to Planet Zero was a Next Generation debate organised by the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) to showcase work being carried out by young scientists to tackle climate change. The themes explored were Fuels of the Future (Brett Parkinson, C-Zero and Jake Coole, Johnson Matthey), Turning Waste into Gold (Natasha Boulding, Sphera and Clare Rodseth, Unilever) and Engineering Nature (Dominic Smith, GSK). The event gave the audience the opportunity to question and challenge the panel on their climate change solutions.

"I had the privilege of co-hosting the panel event with Oliver Ring (AstraZeneca) and it was a real pleasure to share the stage and hear from some great scientists. I moderated the incoming comments and questions from the audience (live and virtual) and ensured they would be understood by everyone, since there were a mix of backgrounds (science and non-science) attending."

Nikita gives her personal reflection of the event: "I learnt a lot from attending the Green Zone at COP26, not only from our panellists but also from all the exhibitors present. I appreciate the small, individual actions we can each take that will make a difference but the need to still work together as a collective to achieve the common goal of fighting climate change. It was clear to see how science and business go hand in hand to provide solutions to society and how interdisciplinary collaboration is key."

Nikita Patel is now in her final year of her PhD at Queen Mary University of London.