Celebrating a decade of the Paris Agreement: Highlights from the 2025 Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Paris

With the vibrant energy of the 2025 Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Paris still living in us a few weeks after, we look back with immense pride at that transformative weekend. Over 800 climate advocates from across Europe and beyond gathered in Paris to honor the 10th anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement - and to forge the next chapter in our fight for a livable future.

Group photo with Al Gore and the over 800 participants of the Climate Reality Leadership Training in Paris

A connecting space for climate advocates

The three-day training was packed with dynamic keynotes, insightful panels, and hands-on workshops. It all began with inspiring opening remarks from youth advocate Samira Ben Ali and a heartfelt welcome from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, reminding us why cities are at the forefront of climate leadership.

A true highlight was the much-anticipated session with Al Gore, Christiana Figueres, and Laurence Tubiana - three close allies who shaped the Paris Agreement a decade ago. Listening to their reflections felt like sitting in on an intimate conversation among old friends, sharing wisdom and lessons for the future. If you missed it or want to relive the moment, you can find the session on Christiana Figueres' podcast! (LINK)

Al Gore presenting | Al Gore presenting | Samira Ben Ali hosting | Mayor Anne Hidalgo opening remarks | Christiana Figueres speaking | Laurance Toubiana speaking

Al Gore’s signature presentation on the science, impacts, and solutions of the climate crisis was as powerful as ever. Don't worry if you didn't see it in Paris - you can watch the recording of it, available in 12 other languages! CLICK HERE to view it. The Q&A with leading scientists Levke Caesar and John Schellnhuber, moderated by Mr. Gore, was unforgettable. Levke's sharp and concise answers, John's in-depth reflections, and Mr. Gore's way of making the most complex science accessible to everyone—chef's kiss! Levke especially won the crowd's heart by boldly calling out the issue of overconsumption, earning a well-deserved round of applause.

Moments of Inspiration and Action

The Lightning Round introduced us to the Training partners - organizations fighting climate change from every angle. From fun and educational initiatives like Climate Fresk to powerful finance campaigns led by Reclaim Finance and Urgewald, it was clear that tackling the climate crisis demands many strategies, not just one.

Following the tradition started at last year's Rome Training, participants once again had the opportunity to take immediate action. This time, they could sign letters urging decision-makers to prioritize climate ambition - either addressed to the European Commission or their own national governments. The letters called for strengthened 2035 and 2040 targets, fast and fair decarbonization, and better implementation of Paris-aligned commitments. You can read and send the letters yourself by clicking THIS LINK.

Participants of the Training taking photos together | Klara Butz and Heffa Schucking from Urgewald facilitating a skill-building session | Klara and Heffa talking about financing fossil fuels | Participants of the Training signing letters to the European Commission and National Governments

Building connections and celebrating victories

Throughout the weekend, mentor groups and breakout sessions created opportunities for participants to dive deeper into local climate impacts, build leadership skills, and draft their own action plans for after the training. The Partner Fair and networking sessions further strengthened bonds between new and seasoned Climate Reality Leaders, sparking collaborations that will last far beyond Paris.

One of the most heartwarming moments came during the Leaders' Panel on the final day. Marion Enzer, a mother of small children and a passionate advocate, reminded us that you don’t need to wear a cape to be a hero - sometimes a green ring is enough. When Al Gore encouraged everyone to celebrate their victories, Marion added, "Not just our victories, but also our birthdays!" The training hall then erupted into song as a violinist led a cheerful "Happy Birthday" for Mr. Gore. A fitting tribute to a decade of dedication and hope!

Looking ahead

The Paris Training concluded with a moment of inspiration as Al Gore presented the Alfredo Sirkis Memorial Green Ring Award to Marie-Claire Graf, a Climate Reality Leader from Switzerland, a youth activist and founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy. Through her work, Marie-Claire has empowered young people from over 50 countries to access and influence climate negotiations as part of national delegations at COP. Her recognition was a powerful reminder that youth leadership and intergenerational cooperation are essential to shaping a just and sustainable future.

Clover Hogan hosting Day 3 of the Training | Camille Étienne addressing the participants | Marie Claire-Graf, the recipient of the Green Ring Award | Climate Reality Leaders panel with Al Gore

As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting our Climate Reality Leaders in driving emissions reduction, financing a just transition, and strengthening international cooperation on climate.

To help make that possible, we also proudly launched the new Climate Hubs model during the Paris Training — a city-based approach to building stronger, more connected local communities of action across Europe. This marks a new chapter in how we support grassroots leadership and long-term engagement beyond the training. CLICK HERE to learn more about it and join the movement.

The Climate Reality Project Europe Team