(L-R) Claudia Hitaj, Ministry of the Environment, Climate & Biodiversity; n/a; Serge Wilmes, Minister of the Environment, Climate & Biodiversity; Claude Meisch, Minister of Education, Children & Youth; Michèle Remakel, Director of Lycée Robert Schuman;
Credit: MECB
On Tuesday 28 October 2025, Luxembourg's Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, and Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, met with upper secondary students from Lycée Robert Schuman, Athénée de Luxembourg and Nordstad-Lycée to discuss climate change challenges and the priorities of Luxembourg’s youth ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The exchange, introduced by Michèle Remakel, Director of Lycée Robert Schuman, formed part of a broader dialogue initiative aimed at raising awareness, giving young people a voice and encouraging their participation in national and international climate policy discussions, according to the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.
During the exchange, Minister Meisch highlighted the key role of education in understanding climate issues: “Educating young people about environmental challenges means giving them the tools to act and take part in transforming our society. Schools play an essential role in developing ecological awareness and encouraging responsible behaviour.”
Youth climate delegates Frida Thorsteinsdottir and Lara Bertemes shared their reflections on the main climate challenges, emphasising “the central role of climate education, the need for more ambitious action and the importance of active youth participation in international negotiations, particularly in the context of COP30.” The discussions led to a lively and constructive exchange between students and the youth delegates, the ministry reported.
Minister Wilmes underlined the importance of young people’s involvement in the fight against climate change and in building a sustainable future: “Today, many pupils and students still feel insufficiently informed about the mechanisms of climate change. However, they clearly express their desire to better understand these issues, to exchange ideas on possible solutions and to learn how to contribute actively to climate protection. It is precisely to meet this need that I initiated this meeting. We learn from each other, which is why youth participation in existing political processes is essential, and why young voices must be heard at COP30.”
The Ministry noted that Luxembourg will, for the first time, have its own national pavilion at COP30, marking an important step in the country’s international climate engagement.
In Belém, Lara Bertemes will be joined by Sarah Mackel to represent Luxembourg’s youth during the COP30 negotiations. At the same time, students from Lycée Robert Schuman will take part in the Youth4Climate Action project, led by the school’s LRSL Action Team 4Future, which promotes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals within their institution. At COP30, Julien Lemmer Veloso, Zitong Ao and Lana Despotovic will present their reflections and proposals, the Ministry added.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled after COP30 in Belém, on Wednesday 26 November 2025. On this occasion, Ministers Claude Meisch and Serge Wilmes, together with the Youth Climate Delegates, will discuss the results of the international conference and the role of young people in implementing Luxembourg’s climate commitments.
