Exhibition inspires young people to build a net zero world as civil engineers

Bristol Airport will see the launch of a major new exhibition highlighting the central role of civil engineers in creating the infrastructure needed to tackle climate change and reach net zero targets.

Time is running out - Help us engineer a net zero world explores the future of infrastructure and focuses on the ways in which civil engineers are coming up with sustainable solutions in sectors such as transport, energy and water.

The exhibition, created by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), aims to inspire young people who are passionate about the environment to consider civil engineering as a career where they can make a tangible difference on climate change issues.

Based around three illuminated pods, the exhibition features original hand-drawn illustrations and profiles of civil engineers. Six questions are explored: Why don't we value water? What can we do to end waste? Can we keep travelling? Do we need smarter cities? Where will our energy come from? How do we live with flooding? TV presenter, Rob Bell talks to children about the questions in a series of short films embedded within the pods.

“Civil engineers are the people who design, build and maintain the modern world around us. They are at the forefront of addressing some of the major impacts of climate change, and civil engineers are also playing a vital role in helping us transition to a low carbon future, from building renewable energy facilities to upgrading our road networks for electric vehicle charging,” said Miranda Housden, South West Regional Director, ICE and exhibition curator.

“The exhibition raises awareness of the connection between civil engineering and carbon neutrality and speaks directly to young people who want to be part of future solutions that can help us live better lives without costing the planet.”

Ed McCann, ICE President, will launch the free exhibition on Wednesday 15 June at Bristol Airport, where it will be available to thousands of families as they embark on their summer holidays until 15 September.  

Simon Earles, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director, Bristol Airport: “We are delighted to be the host venue of the new major exhibition from ICE to highlight and promote the central role of civil engineers in creating the essential infrastructure needed to assist in tackling climate change. With a busy summer expected, this new exhibition will be on show to thousands of families travelling through the departure lounge and customers will have the opportunity to see what methods civil engineers are developing to create a sustainable solution in the future to reach a Net Zero world.

“At Bristol Airport, sustainability is a key focus for us all and only recently we achieved becoming a carbon neutral operations airport in 2021, four years ahead of schedule, and also brought forward our next aim to achieve Net Zero airport operations by 2030. We are always looking to explore different technologies which can help us reduce our impact on the environment.

“We’re committed to being net zero for all our emissions, including flights, by 2050. Our region has a unique cluster of aerospace and aviation expertise, which places us at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise flight. We’ve brought together companies such as Airbus and GKN Aerospace with EDF and Wales & West Utilities to form Hydrogen South West, a partnership that aims to develop a hydrogen ecosystem in our region, and accelerate the move to net zero flights.”

The exhibition will move to Leeds Station, Northern Concourse from 3-8 October. Throughout 2022-23, it will tour railway stations, museums and botanical gardens and high-profile locations in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cornwall. Millions of people are expected to visit during the two year tour.

The exhibition website, www.ice.org.uk/timeisrunningout, provides supporting information about infrastructure, net zero challenges and how to become a civil engineer.