Credit: MECB
On Monday 2 June 2025, Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity announced that Lara Bertemes and Sarah Mackel will serve as youth climate delegates (CYD), representing the interests of Luxembourg’s youth at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
The CYD programme in Luxembourg, a joint initiative of the National Youth Council (CGJL-de Jugendrot) and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, serves both as an educational opportunity and as an awareness-raising initiative aimed at encouraging young people to engage with climate issues. Its goal is to train and support youth ambassadors so that the ideas and concerns of Luxembourg’s younger generation can be heard at the international level.
The programme offers participants the opportunity to join the official Luxembourg national delegation, take part in negotiations and informal meetings and represent the voice of youth in global climate discussions. Selected to take on this role, Lara Bertemes and Sarah Mackel will be responsible for advocating these commitments not only at COP30 but also in other international forums.
25-year-old Lara Bertemes, originally from the Éislek region in northern Luxembourg, has been involved in environmental protection since her teenage years, according to the Ministry.
A former youth delegate to the United Nations and an active member of the national Youth Parliament, she has consistently advocated for ambitious and inclusive climate action.
Currently completing a Master’s degree in Sustainability Governance, a programme combining environmental science with political and social issues, Lara Bertemes focuses her research on climate finance and Climate Clubs. Her aim is to contribute to the development of more effective and ambitious climate policies.
21-year-old Sarah Mackel is pursuing medical studies at St Andrews in Dublin and is engaged in advocacy work focusing on the intersection of health, climate and public policy, according to the Ministry.
As a volunteer and speaker with several international organisations, she has addressed topics ranging from science diplomacy to artificial intelligence in public health, exploring healthcare systems through technological and climate-related perspectives.
Her research on primary care and eye health services in sub-Saharan Africa was recognised with multiple awards, including the "Jonk Fuerscher" prize, following her recognition as a finalist at the Intel Regeneron ISEF (California) and as a winner of the EU Contest for Young Scientists.
She is currently undertaking a research mission in East Africa, studying access to palliative care for refugees with terminal illnesses.
As part of her mandate, Sarah Mackel aims to promote the inclusion of children, adolescents and young adults in international policy discussions.
The Ministry noted: "We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Frida Thosteinsdottir and Natasha Lepage, who successfully paved the way as Luxembourg’s first Climate Youth Delegates. Their preliminary work played a key role in the establishment and recognition of this programme."
