Press release
Press release Jaarbeurs
Climate exam 2025 concludes with the largest gathering at Jaarbeurs Utrecht
With over 300 participants, the Beatrix Hall was the most visited location of the Climate Examination 2025, which will take place at more than 120 locations in the Netherlands between 15 and 30 May.
27 May 2025, Utrecht. Today, the Climate Examination 2025 concluded at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. The second edition of the national event was a great success. In total, the examination took place at 123 locations, including 44 schools and universities, 32 government locations, and 30 business venues. Over 3,000 candidates sat the exam, with an additional 5,000 people participating online. Thus, the Climate Examination 2025 shows a clear increase compared to last year – both in reach and engagement.
In one year increased by more than tenfold
What began as a small-scale initiative grew into a nationwide event within a year. While the Climate Exam took place at 11 locations in 2024, this year there were as many as 123, spread across all provinces of the Netherlands. Participants described the exam as difficult, confronting, but above all educational. That was exactly the intention: not only to test knowledge but also to impart it.
To scientifically underpin this knowledge, Climate Examination has this year established an examination committee consisting of experts and scientists from various universities and research institutions, including the KNMI. Maarten van Aalst, Director-General of the KNMI, said: “The Climate Examination is a fantastic initiative to increase knowledge about climate change. It covers partly the causes and consequences of climate change, which we at the KNMI focus on every day, but especially about what you can do yourself. It is fun to participate, educational, and at times maybe even thought-provoking.”
Ankie van Wersch, managing director of MVO NL, participated in the Climate Exam and emphasised the crucial role of knowledge in bringing about change: "The future cries out for change. We know that every change ultimately starts with insight. About the what and the why. The Climate Exam provides that insight and connects. A perfect foundation for action towards a sustainable economy."
Stimulate action by increasing knowledge
The Climate Examination 2025 provided a broad overview of the climate crisis, focusing on the causes, effects, solutions, and adaptation. It also addressed the role of governments and companies in the energy transition and in preventing further damage.
The final part of the Climate Examination discussed what individuals can do themselves. No finger-pointing, but providing perspective: how small actions contribute to larger change, thereby breaking a sense of powerlessness.
Joost Brinkman, initiator of the Climate Examination and ambassador for the European Climate Pact: "A whole lot of people together can make a difference: for example, by taking action together, by collaborating, by implementing small and large changes together. Companies are ultimately made up of people; the transition is a people’s task. By increasing knowledge and further opening our eyes, we want to ignite action. Knowing better means doing better. That is what the Climate Examination aims to contribute to."
Michel Heijdra, Director-General for Climate and Energy at the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, who opened the Climate Exam on 15 May, also highlighted the power of knowledge: “In a world that is increasingly making policy without facts, it is great that there is an initiative like the Climate Exam to confront participants with the facts and provide solutions on how to effectively address existing climate change and limit further change as much as possible."
You can still participate (online)
On 30 May, the final Climate Exams will take place in Assen and Zutphen on location. Until the end of June, everyone in the Netherlands can take the exam online: www.klimaatexamen.nl/online
The Climate Exam 2025 in focus
The Climate Exam is an initiative of Darel Education and is made possible by the provinces of Zeeland, North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, Univé, as well as by the KNMI, Utrecht University, Milieu Centraal, Energy Management Netherlands, the Climate Conversations Foundation, and the Young Climate Movement.
More information
Press contact: Joost Brinkman / 06 12 60 30 53 / joost.brinkman@darel.nl
About
The Climate Exam has been established by Darel Education and is supported by the provinces of Zeeland, North Holland, South Holland, and Utrecht, as well as the insurer Univé. Knowledge partners: Utrecht University, Radboud University Nijmegen, TU Eindhoven, University of Groningen, Amsterdam University College, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, KNMI, Milieu Centraal. Made possible by: Young Climate Movement, Energy Management Netherlands, European Climate Pact, and all participating locations (www.klimaatexamen.nl/locaties)
Roderik van de Wal, Professor of Sea Level Change and Coastal Impacts, Utrecht University
Heleen de Coninck, Professor of System Transitions and Climate Change, Radboud University Nijmegen, TU Eindhoven
Bart Verheggen, Climate Expert at KNMI and Lecturer at Amsterdam University College
Joyce Bosman, Senior Researcher in Climate and Energy Transition, Milieu Centraal
Tim van Hattum, Head of Climate Programme, Wageningen University & Research
Marjolijn Haasnoot, Professor of Climate Adaptation, Utrecht University
Felix van Vugt, Lecturer and Community Organizer at Duurzaam Doen, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
Ellen van der Werff, Associate Professor of Environmental Psychology, University of Groningen
Tim Bleeker, Climate Lawyer and Expert in Environmental Liability Law
Darel Education is a non-profit initiative to create social support for the energy transition. Darel Education offers secondary schools and vocational education institutions a fully organized Energy Transition Masterclass for a modest fee, during which students gain insight into the history of energy, the challenges of the energy transition, the dilemmas, and of course the solutions that lead to a zero-emission energy supply.
The European Climate Pact is a movement of people committed to a more sustainable Europe. The pact was launched by the European Commission and aims to become climate-neutral by 2050. Everyone can participate in the Pact. Whether you are at the beginning of your climate engagement or have been active for years, there is always a way to contribute.
More information: https://klimaatverbond.nl/project/european-climate-pact/ and https://climate-pact.europa.eu/
