Utrecht, 7 May 2025 - On Monday 27 May, Royal Jaarbeurs will turn into an exam venue. This time, it will not be schoolchildren and students who toil, but adults. In the heart of Utrecht, the National Climate Exam will take place: a unique awareness-raising event where participants test and increase their knowledge about climate change.
Jaarbeurs is proud to offer space to this year's Climate Exam, as part of the national edition organised at more than 100 locations throughout the Netherlands. In doing so, the Utrecht-based event organiser joins a growing movement that focuses on knowledge and action perspectives around climate change.
Adult exam, supervision by young people
The Climate Exam reverses the traditional exam model. Instead of young people, it is adults who take seats on the benches, while students take on the role of invigilators. Jeroen van Hooff, CEO Royal Jaarbeurs: "At Jaarbeurs, we believe in the power of knowledge, meeting and cooperation. This exam brings those elements together beautifully. We like to open our location to initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future. And where better to do that than in the heart of Utrecht?"
Learning together for tomorrow
Climate change affects us all, but knowledge about the causes and consequences remains limited among many people. The Climate Exam, an initiative of Darel Education, aims to change this. "You don't have to cram," says initiator Joost Brinkman, "the exam itself already offers many insights. We want to offer participants action perspectives: what can you do yourself, and what can companies and governments contribute? Together we will get further."
From trial to nationwide movement
What started as a small-scale initiative in 2024 has grown into a nationwide event at 100 locations this year, co-sponsored by four provinces and supported by KNMI, Utrecht University and Milieu Centraal, among others. Drafted by a committee of 10 scientists, the questions cover all facets of climate change.
Registration for the Climate Exam can be done at: https://klimaatexamen.nl/utrecht-jaarbeurs-beatrixgebouw.
