As COP29 approaches, the global community is increasingly focused on the pressing need for climate action, highlighting the critical role of education in empowering future generations. 

Education has always been about more than facts and figures; it’s about shaping minds and inspiring future leaders. As the climate crisis intensifies, the role of education in driving change has never been more vital.

Far from being passive recipients of knowledge, students today – all around the world – are emerging as climate advocates, fuelled by education that not only explains the science but connects it to the social, economic, and emotional aspects of the issue.

Research by UNESCO shows that climate education has the potential to significantly influence students’ attitudes and behaviours, helping them to develop a sense of urgency and responsibility in tackling environmental challenges.

A POWERFUL WATCH: Hear from inspiring young voices as they share their passion for climate action and the urgent need for change.

#InSolidarityForAGreenerWorld : A short film by ITN Business

The role of education in inspiring action

Studies show that when students are informed about climate change through structured educational frameworks, they are more likely to adopt pro-environmental behaviours. This shift occurs as education increases awareness of the science behind climate change, as well as its social, economic, and political impacts.

UNESCO’s research highlights that climate literacy encourages young people to make informed decisions and advocate for policy changes that promote sustainability. Their Global Education Monitoring Report highlights that climate literacy must go beyond mere knowledge transfer; it should incorporate emotional learning and equip students with the tools to take meaningful steps in combatting climate change, as education “cannot rely solely on knowledge transfer but needs to focus on social, emotional, and action-oriented learning.”

What climate education is happening in schools?

In the UK, the curriculum integrates climate change education across various subjects, including geography — with lessons on global warming, natural disasters, and the impacts of human activity; and science — with lessons on ecosystems, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. Students learn about carbon footprints, energy consumption, and scientific solutions to reduce emissions.

Many schools are engaging students in cross-disciplinary projects such as eco-schools initiatives or climate-focused projects, where they learn to tackle climate change practically, such as by reducing school energy consumption or increasing recycling efforts.

Around the world, several countries are pioneering climate education, embedding it deeply into their curricula to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle environmental challenges.

Here are 6 of the most progressive nations in climate education:

1. Finland integrates sustainability into its curriculum, focusing on environmental stewardship and ethical learning. Finland’s emphasis on outdoor learning and a connection to nature is also central to its climate education efforts.

FINLAND: Environmental stewardship and ethics are core to the country’s educational approach

2. In 2019, Italy became the first country in the world to make climate change education mandatory in schools. The Italian government requires that all public schools dedicate 33 hours per year—about one hour per week — to climate education, which focuses not only on the science of climate change but also on its social and economic impacts.

3. Costa Rica‘s curriculum incorporates environmental and climate education from the primary level upwards. Costa Rican students are taught about biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable development, which aligns with the country’s broader national goals of carbon neutrality and environmental preservation.

4. Scotland prioritises climate literacy, embedding sustainability into school programmes and outdoor learning. The Scottish government introduced a national approach that includes teaching about climate change, sustainability, and biodiversity throughout the curriculum. Initiatives like the “Eco-Schools Scotland” programme and support for outdoor learning help students engage with climate issues practically.

5. In Sweden, schools encourage critical thinking and project-based learning, with a strong focus on understanding the interconnection between the environment, society, and the economy. This aligns with Sweden’s commitment to achieving the SDGs and reducing its carbon footprint.

6. New Zealand‘s government launched the “Climate Change Learning Programme,” aimed at educating students about the science behind climate change and empowering them to take action. In addition, New Zealand’s approach emphasises indigenous knowledge, incorporating Māori perspectives on the environment and sustainability.

Helping female students into STEM 

The increasing number of teenage girl activists at climate events worldwide clearly illustrates that girls are taking a more proactive stance on climate action compared to their male peers. According to a 2021 report by the Global Climate Change Youth Survey, female students made up about 60 percent of participants in global climate strikes, showcasing a significant gender disparity in activism levels.

Yet research shows young women (and young people generally), feel unprepared for careers in the green job market, with a significant gender gap in perceived skill levels. The fast-growing green energy sectors demand advanced technical skills; STEM skills are essential for the green jobs of the future — yet the gender disparity in these fields remains stark.

In 2019, fewer than 20 percent of engineering graduates were women in 30 out of 121 countries, and in 61 out of 115 countries, fewer than 30 percent of computer science graduates were women (UNESCO, 2023).

RELATED: Dr Anne Marie Imafidon: Inspiring future generations in STEM

Research has shown that empowering women through education can significantly enhance resilience to climate challenges and foster sustainable development.

The Education Commission 2022 revealed some key insights, illustrating the transformative power of educating girls and women in the context of climate action:

  • Boosting resilience to climate disasters: Findings from the Commission showed that for every additional year of education girls receive, a country’s resilience to climate disasters improves by 2-3 percentage points on average;
  • Reducing extreme weather fatalities: The research also showed that a 60 percent reduction in deaths from extreme weather events could be achieved by 2050 if the percentage of women receiving a lower secondary education increased from 30 percent to 70 percent;
  • The multiplier effect on communities: When young people, particularly girls, become climate-literate, they often educate their families, creating a ripple effect that enhances climate awareness and action within communities;
  • Reducing vulnerability to climate change: Girls’ secondary education is the single most important socioeconomic factor in decreasing vulnerability to climate change, according to The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, 2022
  • Female entrepreneurship in sustainability: Furthermore, women who are educated are more likely to start businesses focused on sustainability, which can drive greener economies (World Bank, 2023).

Gender inequalities in education

Despite the urgent need for diverse voices in the climate discourse, over 130 million girls worldwide remain out of school, deprived of the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.

Addressing gender disparities in education is not just a matter of equality but a crucial step towards sustainable development and climate resilience.

The World Inequality Database in Education (WIDE), overseen by the Global Education Monitoring Report and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, reveals the significant impact of gender, ethnicity, and geographical location on educational opportunities.

SOURCE: The Global Education Monitoring Report 2024: Globally, the loss in human capital due to gender inequalities is estimated to be around USD 160 trillion; approximately twice the value of global gross domestic production (Wodon and De La Brière, 2018).

The role of technology

Today, the right to education increasingly goes hand in hand with the right to meaningful connectivity. However, access to the internet remains deeply unequal. Currently, only 40 percent of primary schools, 50 percent of lower secondary, and 65 percent of upper secondary schools globally are connected to the internet. Despite this disparity, 85 percent of countries have policies aimed at improving digital access in schools.

Digital technology has revolutionised access to educational resources, breaking down barriers to learning. Take, for example, Ethiopia’s National Academic Digital Library and India’s National Digital Library, which have expanded learning access for millions of students. In Bangladesh, over 600,000 users benefit from the Teachers Portal, supporting professional development for educators. Similarly, in China, recorded high-quality lessons delivered to 100 million rural students have not only improved learning outcomes by 32 percent but also helped bridge the urban–rural earnings gap by 38 percent. These examples underscore the power of technology to transform education when meaningful connectivity is provided.

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMES:

Digital Britain: Connecting the Nation

Engineering a Sustainable World

Launching on the first day of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (Cop29) on 11 November: Power Shift: The Renewable Energy Revolution

 

Further reading and sources:

2024 Global Education Monitoring Report (unesco.org)

World Bank blog: ‘How education can equip young people to address climate change’.