Hanah Lahe, Estonia's next-gen climate politics champion
The worldwide lack of young people in government is a threat to democracy and climate justice. Meet Hanah Lahe, who’s changing the game in Estonia – and soon Europe – from the inside.
Note: This interview is the first part of our “The Greenest Generation” series — where we sit down with Gen Z climate warriors across the globe who are tackling the climate and nature crisis. Know a young person doing inspiring work on climate we should feature? Leave us a note in the comments or reach out at travelfortheclimate@gmail.com with your suggestions!
In May 2023, we traveled to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, to meet with the youngest member of the national Parliament, Hanah Lahe.
Hanah was elected as a Parliament Member this year, running with an agenda exclusively focused on the environment. As she explained, no other politician across the country had such focus on climate topics. This competitive advantage helped her capture the attention of underrepresented voters, proving once more that strong proposals for a safer and greener future can become a winning political platform.
While Estonia has committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions 70% below 1990 levels by 2030 and currently generates about 25% of electricity from renewables, the country has one of the highest average GHG footprints per capita, and, as we learned from Hanah, is significantly one of the few EU member countries that lacks a climate law.
Hanah welcomed us in her parliamentary cabinet, where her “Fridays for Future” strike sign is shelved next to a photo of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde fame. Our discussion gave us a preview of the possibilities – and hope – instilled by Gen Z coming to power.
The beginnings of a climate career
The Green Journey (TGJ) : It's a pleasure to meet you, Hanah. Thank you for your time. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey in politics?
Hanah: I'm Hanah, the youngest member of Estonia's parliament. I work in the Environment and European Affairs Committees. My journey started in 2019 when a conservative coalition formed behind the scenes, even though my political party, the Estonian Reform Party, won the elections.
This motivated me to join the Reform Party's youth organization and become active in politics. I ran the environment committee both for my locality and for the youth organization, participated in local elections, and worked as a campaign advisor. In the 2023 parliamentary elections, my party won by a significant margin, and I got elected with a focus on climate and environment.
TGJ: What sparked your interest in climate issues?
Hanah: Growing up in the countryside, I developed a strong connection to nature. My family taught me to be sustainable and mindful of our impact on the environment. I became a vegetarian at a young age and cared deeply for animals.
When I came to understand the scale and depth of the climate crisis - I looked around me and I felt profoundly disappointed by what was happening — and shocked that people weren’t doing more about it. I guess I was similar to Greta Thunberg and a lot of other young activists in that way. I witnessed the climate crisis, the lack of action by politicians, and I felt compelled to take matters into my own hands.
The state of climate policy in Estonia
TGJ: Looking at Estonia's climate journey, what are the key goals you want to achieve during your time in parliament?
Hanah: Over the next four years, we as the Estonian Reform Party and its broader coalition aims to pass a climate law, reform the energy sector, and prioritize environmental education. The coalition is the most liberal government Estonia has ever had, with climate policy as our top priority.
The climate law will provide a framework for achieving our climate goals and ensure coordination among different sectors. It should set targets for different years and establish a climate advisory board. Additionally, we want to focus on waste management, sustainable city development, and building renovations.
TGJ: Do you feel there has been a shift in Estonia’s approach to climate over the years?
Hanah: Estonia's progress on climate is largely due to being part of the European Union. EU directives have influenced our actions because we have relied on mining oil shale for decades, which has historically covered most of Estonia’s energy needs. Estonia is the only country in the world that uses oil shale as its primary energy resource.
So for Estonians, the change on climate that we need to see is not only about reducing the CO2 footprint in our country, but it’s a sociopolitical challenge concerning how to adapt this industry as well.
. The green transition is already underway, but we need to ensure it is thorough and not just superficial. Greenwashing is a concern, even among politicians. We are in the middle of a turning point, where the challenge is not starting but finishing the transition.
TGJ: Can you explain Estonia’s climate law and the context around it?
Hanah: Well, there’s no climate law. In fact, Estonia is one of the few EU countries without one that’s been ratified.
Estonia needs a climate law - this law would establish a legal framework for our climate goals, bringing together different sectors and defining our vision for the future. It would set targets for specific years, allow measurement of progress, and establish a climate advisory board. Without a climate law, we lack a unified approach and clear guidelines for tackling the climate crisis.
Generation Z takes the stage
TGJ: It’s amazing that you’re a member of Gen Z and already in national government. How do you plan to use your platform to engage and inspire our generation on climate issues in Estonia?
Hanah: It's crucial to listen to the voices of Gen Z and take action based on what this generation has to say.
As Estonia’s youth climate delegate in 2022 and due to several years of studies in climate, including my master’s, I have a pretty good understanding of the challenges we face from a scientific point of view. And because I’ve participated in politics, especially political activism, I see the challenges we face from a political point of view.
And many members of Gen Z also have a good understanding of the challenges that we face. But not enough youth, perhaps, are pursuing politics as an avenue to change.
Politics can be dirty, and that may be a reason why young people interested in climate don’t pursue politics as their first career choice. I’m trying to change that by setting an example. I hope that in our next parliamentary elections in 2027, if I decide to run again, I won’t be the youngest member anymore.
Whether in environmental fields or other fields, whether in NGOs, private sector, or politics, the most important thing is to remember that as members of Gen Z, we can really bring value and make a difference.
TGJ: What is your message for young people who are interested in getting involved in politics as a way to accelerate climate action?
Hanah: My first piece of advice to young people interested in climate politics is to educate yourself. If you become an expert in your chosen topic, you have deep knowledge draw on in discussions. When you speak, you speak proactively, whether than just reacting to whatever opponents are saying.
My second piece of advice is to not lose hope about changing the system. Politics is a very, very old game and it’s very established. You can change the system if you’re an insider, but it becomes harder from an outsider point of view. We need new faces in politics.
Avoid negative politics and corruption, and stay true to your values. Persistence and positivity are key. We need inspirational role models and collective action to address the climate crisis.
What gives you hope
TGJ: At the end of our interviews, we always ask: when you look at the climate situation right now, what gives you hope?
Hanah: I think two things. One is that we see young people coming together every day to cooperate, to do projects together, to talk about the climate crisis or everything regarding the environment. I think it's very inspirational.
The second thing is just looking at nature, looking at the environment that we’re in, and being inspired by it. I’m motivated by how much I want to preserve the planet, how much it matters. Maybe during the busiest days, we don’t really recognize all of the beauty that surrounds us, but when I take time to truly realize how beautiful the world is, that’s one thing, that for me at least, gives a lot of hope