Ei-iE

Markus Spiske / Unsplash
Markus Spiske / Unsplash

Climate action and literacy

The world is undeniably facing a climate emergency. As defenders of truth and science, teachers are mobilising for climate justice and literacy.

We are working to ensure climate change education is taught in schools across the world to equip students with the critical knowledge they need in their daily lives and to inform their choices as active citizens. We advocate for climate education to be integrated into curricula, initial teacher training and continuous professional development and for education to be recognised as a key tool in the fight against climate change.

Together with students, with the global trade union movement and civil society partners, we advocate for a just transition in order to secure workers’ rights and livelihoods as economies shift to sustainable production.

Our work in this area

  1. Video

    Education in climate policies: Are countries in North Africa and the Middle East making the grade? (Arabic)

    29 April 2022

    This side event of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2022 discussed the role of education in the fight against the climate crisis and how countries can step up their climate education ambition. With interpretation in Arabic.

  2. Video

    Education in climate policies: Are countries in North Africa and the Middle East making the grade? (English)

    29 April 2022

    This side event of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2022 discussed the role of education in the fight against the climate crisis and how countries can step up their climate education ambition. With interpretation in English.

  3. News 31 March 2022

    Education in climate policies: Are countries in North Africa and the Middle East making the grade?

    Official side event | Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2022

    Which countries are prioritising quality climate education for all? On March 31st, Education International presented our analysis of the extent to which education is included in MENA countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

    Education in climate policies: Are countries in North Africa and the Middle East making the grade?
  4. Worlds of Education 21 March 2022

    On the road to COP27, the MENA region is far behind on climate change education ambition

    Christina Kwauk

    Next week, the United Arab Emirates will host the first ever Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week . Many of the international delegates from last year’s COP26 will kickstart their journey to COP27 (to be held in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt) by looking to the MENA...

    On the road to COP27, the MENA region is far behind on climate change education ambition
  5. Research

    The Climate Change Education Ambition Report Card: Focus on the Middle East and North Africa

    Christina Kwauk
    21 March 2022

    Conducted by Christina Kwauk, the Education International Climate Change Education Ambition Report Card examines the level of ambition on climate education and the extent to which countries prioritise education as a tool for climate action. This special edition of the Report Card focuses on countries in the Middle East and...

    The Climate Change Education Ambition Report Card: Focus on the Middle East and North Africa
    1. Climate Change Education Ambition Report Card: Focus on MENA
    2. تقرير أداء طموح التعليم في مجال التغير المناخي
  6. Worlds of Education 7 March 2022

    Education – a crucial piece of the climate justice and gender equality puzzle

    Susan Hopgood

    For decades we have mobilised across the world and have worked towards gender equality, and increasingly over the last few years to address climate injustice. However, both fights have often been waged separately with far too little attention given to the critical areas where they overlap.

    Education – a crucial piece of the climate justice and gender equality puzzle
  7. News 26 January 2022

    Canada: Educators take action on climate change education through ACTES

    In the Canadian province of Quebec, teacher trade unionists are getting involved in the Centrale des Syndicats du Québec’s Movement for Collective Action on Environmental and Social Transitions (Mouvement ACTES-CSQ), which provides them with strong support for initiatives undertaken with their students on climate change education.

    Canada: Educators take action on climate change education through ACTES
  8. News 8 December 2021

    COP 26 key outcomes: Why is this important for education unionists?

    Alanah Torralba

    COP 26, shorthand for the 26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), was touted as the most important climate summit since the Paris Agreement was established in 2015. Owing both to mounting public pressure and the disruption caused by the Covid 19 pandemic,...

    COP 26 key outcomes: Why is this important for education unionists?
  9. News 3 December 2021

    Education International and UNESCO report: Teachers motivated to teach sustainable development and global citizenship but need more support

    Education International and UNESCO have launched a joint report on teacher readiness for global citizenship education and education for sustainable development . The survey focused on four key topics: education on climate change, sustainable consumption and production, tolerance and cultural diversity, and human rights including gender equality.

    Education International and UNESCO report: Teachers motivated to teach sustainable development and global citizenship but need more support
  10. Research

    Teachers have their say: Motivation, skills and opportunities to teach education for sustainable development and global citizenship

    Report of global teacher survey conducted by Education International and UNESCO
    24 November 2021

    Teachers have the power to help learners develop the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to address global challenges and contribute to the building of a more just, peaceful, sustainable world. However, this global survey of 58,000 teachers, conducted by UNESCO and Education International, shows that while many teachers are motivated,...

    Teachers have their say: Motivation, skills and opportunities to teach education for sustainable development and global citizenship
    1. Download
  11. News 22 November 2021

    Iraq: Climate change, a top priority for educators

    Acknowledging that climate change is one of the most important global issues, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) has reaffirmed its commitment to push the regional government to insert climate change education into the curriculum and to take other necessary measures on climate change.

    Iraq: Climate change, a top priority for educators
  12. News 16 November 2021

    Taiwan: Climate literacy at heart of teacher union’s activities

    The National Teachers’ Association (NTA) of Taiwan seized the occasion of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to reaffirm its commitment to see climate change education (CCE) inserted in curricula at all education levels. COP26 was held in Glasgow from 31 October-12 November.

    Taiwan: Climate literacy at heart of teacher union’s activities
  14. Worlds of Education 9 November 2021

    In France, the role of Sustainable Development Advisor in schools

    Émeline is a Life and Earth Sciences teacher and Sustainable Development Advisor. After 10 years in a REP+ (Priority Education Network) in the Créteil academy, Émeline arrived at the François Perron secondary school in Cerilly. It is a rural school, north of Montluçon in the Allier department, with 108 pupils....

    In France, the role of Sustainable Development Advisor in schools
  15. News 5 November 2021

    COP26 event | Teaching for climate action: Schools shaping the future

    Event co-organised by the OECD, Education International, and UNESCO

    The education sector has a unique role to play in building a greener twenty-first century. The OECD, Education International, and UNESCO have launched a joint initiative to gather teaching expertise on what makes a difference in empowering students for climate action.

    COP26 event | Teaching for climate action: Schools shaping the future
  16. News 5 November 2021

    COP26 event | Roundtable: Why climate literacy and civic skill building will solve the climate crisis – Answers from civil society, educators, and governments

    The discussion highlights EARTHDAY.ORG’s Climate and Environmental Literacy Campaign and its mission to ensure every school worldwide has integrated, assessed climate and environmental education with a strong education component.

    COP26 event | Roundtable: Why climate literacy and civic skill building will solve the climate crisis – Answers from civil society, educators, and governments
  17. News 5 November 2021

    COP 26 dispatch: Net-zero, carbon markets and quality climate education

    Alanah Torralba

    Activists and the private sector are clashing over ‘net zero’ and carbon markets at COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland. At the crucial climate talks, activists such as Greta Thunberg slammed the recent announcement of UN finance ambassador Mark Carney that more than 450 financial institutions under the banner Glasgow Financial...

    COP 26 dispatch: Net-zero, carbon markets and quality climate education