Three pupils from a Stratford school met the prime minister on a visit to Downing Street.
Year 13 pupils from Bobby Moore Academy in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park were invited to Number 10 for a youth press conference on climate action, where they met Sir Keir Starmer and energy secretary Ed Miliband.
The students attended the event ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, taking part in discussions about climate policy, sustainability, and the economic opportunities of net zero.
One of the pupils, Itohan, said: "The experience was fantastic.
"I found that all the politicians were so passionate about climate change and it was great to see that they care about this on a global scale.
"The fact that they brought up Jamaica and current affairs, and explained how they plan to address this in Brazil, showed real empathy."
Arham, another of the pupils, said the visit made global politics feel more personal.
"I feel so much more connected to what’s happening globally and what’s seen on the television and the news.
"I was exposed to the dedication that the politicians thoroughly put into trying to solve the problem of global warming."
The students, who each had the chance to ask Sir Keir a question, also toured Downing Street during their visit.
The session, attended by 30 young people from across the country, focused on the role of the next generation in driving forward the clean energy revolution.
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Sarah Donnelly, principal of Bobby Moore Academy, accompanied the students and praised their engagement.
She said: "This was an amazing opportunity which we are hugely grateful for.
"I genuinely feel that it had a profound effect on all young people attending.
"Our students were blown away by the whole experience and the opportunity to meet and ask questions to the prime minister."
The visit coincided with the publication of a Department for Education review proposing changes to the curriculum to include more content on climate change and sustainability.
COP30, the annual United Nations climate summit, brings together countries committed to addressing climate change.
This year’s conference, held in Brazil, marks the halfway point to 2030, when nations are expected to meet their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
The students’ visit highlighted the growing emphasis on youth engagement in climate policy and the importance of including sustainability in education.
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