Transcription
Moderator:
Let’s move now to our youth-led panel. I’d like to introduce Nina Grmuša—I hope I’m pronouncing that correctly.
Nina is a dedicated advocate for youth participation, diversity, and environmental sustainability.
She is the Chairperson of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe.
She’s active in fostering inclusive environments and strengthening collaboration among youth civil society organisations.
Nina has extensive experience as a youth worker, trainer, and team developer with the European Federation for Intercultural Learning.
She brings a broad interdisciplinary perspective on social, political, and environmental challenges through her academic studies, and she’s currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Globalisation, Environment, and Social Change.
Please join me in welcoming Nina Grmuša.
Before we move to the discussion, I’d also like to introduce our second panellist, Linus Dolder.
He’s a global activist and a pioneering force in the climate movement.
He co-founded Climate Strikes Switzerland in 2018 and played a key role in mobilising local actions and shaping the national movement.
He was the first spokesperson for Fridays for Future in both Switzerland and Germany.
Linus helped organise major events, including the first International Strategy Summit and a federal conference with over 1,000 participants.
He’s represented the climate movement internationally at forums such as COP25 and COP26, advocating for urgent climate action.
He also has a background in running digital campaigns, having served as head of digital campaigns for MP Bruno Höhne and as a political adviser to MEP Michael Blos. Please welcome Linus Dolder.
Moderator:
I’ll invite both our panellists to make a quick introductory remark, in the spirit of the panel theme: “If I were a parliamentarian.” Nina, could we start with you?
Nina Grmuša:
Thank you very much. I’m very happy to be here.
What does “quick” mean?
(Moderator: Quick means as quick as you like—about two minutes.)
I’m currently a young person who chose a form of activism through European advocacy—working through institutions.
A key priority for me, and for the Advisory Council on Youth, is to ensure young people have the right to protest and participate democratically in all the different ways they do—like Linus.
If I were a parliamentarian, I would emphasise how the triple planetary crisis threatens human rights, democracy, and social cohesion.
I would listen to youth civil society, civil society more broadly, and experts across the board.
I’d like to thank PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) for adopting a resolution last year that creates a mechanism for meaningful youth engagement.
Also last year, the Committee of Ministers adopted a recommendation prepared with the Advisory Council and Joint Council on Youth—about young people and climate action.
It’s the first international instrument of its kind.
It affirms the importance of recognising the critical role of youth in fighting the climate and environmental crises and protecting environmental defenders and their right to protest.
We need to create national-level mechanisms for youth participation, like PACE has done, and foster spaces for all stakeholders to have a say.
If your country’s territory is sick, polluted, and dying—you don’t have much.
And your people—current and future generations—are the heart of your nation.
Many young people experience eco-anxiety.
Some say they won’t have children because it’s unfair to bring them into this world.
Others fight to make it better—not just for themselves or future generations, but for all of us.
Action should have been taken before I was born. It hasn’t been.
So, if we claim to recognise states and clubs of nations, then we must act together for a healthy environment.
We need policies based on science and research—consulting youth and civil society in the process.
If I were a parliamentarian, I’d encourage you to:
1. Use the Committee of Ministers’ recommendation on youth and climate action in your own country.
2. Work towards recognising the right to a healthy, clean environment as a fundamental human right.
3. Create mechanisms for participation and accountability—without them, we won’t have the grounds to speak of.
Thank you.
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Linus Dolder:
Thank you.
Let me start a few years back.
Six years ago, a green wave swept across the world.
Young people built a historic movement in just months, demanding governments act on the climate crisis.
On 20 September 2019, millions marched. In Germany alone, 1.4 million people joined in what was likely the biggest protest since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Merkel government later passed one of the most ambitious climate laws, phasing out coal and expanding renewables. Germany started meeting its climate targets. Climate was everywhere—TV, politics—it was the issue of the day.
But times have changed. The green wave is gone. We’re seeing a rise in anti-climate rhetoric, even from the political centre—not just the far right. There are loud calls for rolling back climate policies.
So a dangerous story has emerged: that people no longer care about climate change. But that story is false—and dangerous.
It creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. If people think no one else cares, they stop caring too. They stop imagining solutions. They stop demanding change. And that gives politicians a free pass to roll back policies.
So what would I do if I were a parliamentarian?
I’d be annoying, honestly. I’d repeat three things every day:
1. People want more climate action—not less. Don’t confuse criticism of one policy with a lack of support for action overall.
2. It’s our job to create policies that deserve public support. That means socially just, inclusive, and fair policies.
3. Stop spreading the lie that no one cares.
It’s a lie—and worse, it kills momentum.
Change happens when people feel connected by a common cause.
We have the solutions. We lack the will to implement them.
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Discussion and Responses
Audience Member (Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference):
Climate action has been discussed for decades—we had waves of awareness even in the 1980s.
Germany has reduced CO₂ emissions by 30% since 1990.
But what’s clear is that youth involvement is essential.
Our conference hosts a Youth Forum that contributes directly to our resolutions, which are passed to governments and reviewed for accountability.
Young people don't just think like parliamentarians—they act like them.
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Nina Grmuša (response):
Thank you for that example.
In the Council of Europe Youth Department, we use a co-management model.
The Advisory Council (30 young civil society representatives) and the European Steering Committee on Youth (government reps) co-decide together—on policy, programming, and budgets.
We also contribute to intergovernmental work like the environmental strategy and action plan.
It’s an effective way to make youth voices central to decision-making—not just heard but embedded.
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Gianluca Esposito:
Yes, we’ve been talking about this for decades, and as Nina said, we haven’t fully succeeded.
While we debate, the situation gets worse.
We must make climate action affordable.
If only the rich can afford electric cars or heat pumps, we have a problem.
For people to support change, it must be accessible and practical.
If we agree that climate change is real and action is needed, then our policies must meet people where they are.
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Nina Grmuša (follow-up):
I agree. But it’s not just about affordability—it’s about accessibility and inclusivity.
Different populations are impacted differently.
We need intersectional approaches—considering how climate change affects young people, women, Indigenous communities, the poor.
One-size-fits-all solutions don’t work.
Policy must be informed by diverse voices and local realities—and must be backed with resources.
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Linus Dolder:
I’m noticing a dangerous trend in today’s discourse:
Governments trying to “quietly” do a little climate policy—without committing to real change.
That won’t work.
The changes we need are too big to be done secretly.
Politicians must campaign for real solutions—many of which already exist.
We’re not lacking in technology or ideas. We’re lacking political will.
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Mr. Hojsík’s (final comment):
As a former young activist, I want to highlight the missing piece: young entrepreneurs.
There’s tremendous innovation happening. Young entrepreneurs can bring change—not just for profit, but for impact. We need to involve them more in the movement and the conversation. They broaden support and bring fresh solutions.
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Moderator – Final Remarks:
We’re out of time, unfortunately. But key takeaways:
• We must find the political will.
• Embrace change, include entrepreneurs, ensure social justice, and remain competitive.
• The Council of Europe has tools in place:
o A recommendation on youth and climate action
o A new treaty on environmental crimes
o An environment strategy and action plan
o The potential for new enforceable rights to environmental protection
There’s a lot left to do—but we’re making progress.
Thank you all for your participation today!
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