Guest post by Sarah Mackel, BSc (Hons) Medicine graduate, University of St Andrews.
In March 2025, University of St Andrews graduate Sarah Mackel was selected to attend COP30 in Brazil as part of the Luxembourgish delegation, following her research into primary eye care and sustainable healthcare systems. Here, she shares her experience and reflections on the links between climate and health.
From research to COP30
Sarah Mackel at COP30 conference venue entrance in Brazil
I’m Sarah, a Luxembourgish graduate of the School of Medicine at St Andrews. My third-year dissertation, supervised by Dr Andrew Blaikie, focused on facilitators to primary eye care delivery in sub-Saharan Africa.
This project sparked my interest in sustainable development and effective service delivery in international health-focused projects, as well as in the Arclight Project.
Primary eye care is a strategy for empowering healthcare providers to deliver eye care in primary care settings, particularly in rural areas. My dissertation explored barriers and facilitators across literature from 15 different countries, with a focus on Kenya and Nigeria.
Despite differences in healthcare systems, governments and needs, common themes emerged. These included the importance of affordable technology, increased training, and government support in enabling eye care delivery in rural settings.
A year of global engagement
At the Luxembourg Young Researchers’ contest, this work was recognised with the opportunity to attend COP30 in Brazil as part of the Luxembourgish delegation, due to its focus on sustainable healthcare systems.
Over the past year, I have worked alongside my co-delegate Lara Bertemes, a youth advocate who has previously represented Luxembourgish youth at the UN General Assembly and UNSB62.
This experience opened up a new dimension of global health for me. From taking part in a climate negotiation course with young negotiators from around the world, to hosting a COP side event with my co-delegate Lara, and speaking at the World Health Organisation pavilion on the link between health and peace, it has been a transformative journey.
Climate and health: a growing priority
Sustainability and climate consciousness are now a core part of global health, and must be embedded into any health education or health technology project.
This is increasingly recognised at the UN level. COP30 included a dedicated Health Day, and saw the creation of the Belem Health Action Plan, which aims to support climate-resilient healthcare systems and protect global health from the impacts of climate change.
Adaptation discussions also introduced over 18 health-based indicators to help countries measure their response to climate-related health challenges.
The EU Climate Youth Delegates Press Conference COP30
The role of primary eye care and Arclight
Across the world, climate change is widening healthcare access gaps, disproportionately affecting underserved communities.
Primary eye care is a crucial and cost-effective step towards bridging this gap. Tools such as the Arclight, alongside health education models, provide a practical approach to delivering long-term, sustainable healthcare.
By offering an affordable and energy-efficient solution, Arclight supports healthcare delivery in settings where resilience to climate-related challenges is increasingly important.
Looking ahead
It was incredibly encouraging to see the scientific and educational work of the Arclight Project recognised on this global stage, and to exchange ideas with sustainability leaders from around the world.
I look forward to continuing to engage with sustainability in health, ophthalmology, and the ongoing work of the Arclight Project.