How did you gauge the expectations of other young people in the country?
Lara Bertemes. —“We organised a consultation phase with several workshops to understand what young Luxembourgers know about the COP and what they expect from it, allowing them to share their ideas and perspectives. The goal was to have small group discussions--real conversations--to understand how they position themselves on these issues and to assess how ‘climate education’ is being implemented today. We also arranged a discussion with the minister, where young people could ask their questions directly. We had some very insightful--and sometimes critical--reflections, including the fact that flying to Brazil isn’t exactly climate-friendly!
Why is it important for young people’s voices to be heard?
“Together with the other European delegates, we drafted a common position, because it’s important to speak with one voice. But we also want to amplify the voices of young people from the Global South--those who are less often heard. In the outermost regions of Europe, many young people are already experiencing the consequences of climate change firsthand.
It’s also up to adults to take action: they need to communicate and show that they’re doing something. It’s important to have real ‘intergenerational justice’.
Could you share some examples of the suggestions that were made?
“When you give young people a bit of context and background, a lot of ideas emerge. The topic of biodiversity, the sea and the oceans--which play a major role in climate change--was widely discussed. Eating less meat also came up several times, even though it’s not the main source of emissions in Luxembourg. Quite a few young people already eat less meat, sometimes simply because it’s cheaper.
Is Luxembourg doing enough to combat climate change?
“The municipalities are already doing a lot, but on the other hand, our taxes on petrol, cigarettes and other things that are bad for people’s health and the environment are still too low. What really matters is helping people take part in the transition--for instance, by installing better heating systems or solar panels. There are subsidies for electric cars, for example, but they’re not enough for those who can’t afford to change their vehicle in the first place. So it’s not necessarily the people who need the most help who benefit.
How can we do better?
“The municipalities are doing lots of small things--but they really matter. If you look around, there are some great projects out there: I met a farmer who was genuinely trying to reduce his emissions without necessarily switching to organic farming. That’s already a step forward.
Across Europe, cities and universities are also working on concrete measures to adapt urban planning to climate change. All of this gives us a reason to stay optimistic.
What message would you like to share with other young people?
“Let’s be ambitious and do our best. Sometimes, even the smallest things we do can make a big difference.
It’s the government’s responsibility to set the direction, and the private sector’s role is to play along.
Do you think we need to change the way we talk about it?
“Yes, because the discussion is very focused on the problems--and that’s important--but it can be discouraging for young people. They receive a lot of information without always having the tools to act. It can feel overwhelming for a young person. But it’s also up to adults to take action: they need to communicate and show that they’re doing something. It’s important to have real ‘intergenerational justice’.
What does climate justice mean to you?
“There’s a responsibility for the Global North to help the Global South finance the transition. The Global North produces 92% of emissions--it’s clear who should be paying.
If you could introduce one measure tomorrow--no matter how idealistic--in Luxembourg and around the world, what would it be?
“Push for net zero. It’s the government’s responsibility to set the direction--and the private sector’s role is to play along.
Is there an accessible tool that everyone can use to learn about the climate and the green transition?
“During our preparation for the COP, we took courses from the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). They’re freely accessible on the UN CC:Learn platform.”
The perspective of Sarah Mackel
The Luxembourger Sarah Mackel is currently studying medicine in Dublin. (Photo: Julian Pierrot/Paperjam)
Quick chat with Sarah Mackel. Currently studying in Dublin, the Luxembourg native is also a climate youth delegate. From afar, she shares her perspective.
How can a small country like Luxembourg make its voice heard in the negotiations?
Sarah Mackel. —“The country’s strength lies in its interconnectedness. Luxembourg is also well positioned when it comes to climate and sustainable finance, and it can use that leverage to drive progress at that level.
When it comes to the future, are you worried or optimistic?
“It’s a question we often ask ourselves as young people. Given what we see--political decisions, the growing number of climate disasters--it’s quite worrying to be a young person today. The only thing we can do is try, as much as possible, to stay focused on solutions: on what we can do in our own corner of the world in order to make our community a little more sustainable.
Is climate awareness a generational issue?
“No, I don’t think so. The older generations are very much aware of the climate crisis. But since we’re younger, it naturally raises more concern for the long term. The climate issue transcends generations.”
This article was written for the November 2025 issue of Paperjam magazine, published on 19 November. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the site to contribute to the full Paperjam archive. Click this link to subscribe to the magazine.
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