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. News 20 May 2021

    Role of teachers in education for sustainable development highlighted by educators and partners

    The importance of providing quality education for sustainable development (ESD) was highlighted at the recent UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development. This vital topic – and ensuring that teachers receive initial and continuous training on that topic – was raised by Education International’s member organisations and partners during...

    Role of teachers in education for sustainable development highlighted by educators and partners
  2. News 17 May 2021

    Governments must work in collaboration with teachers for education for sustainable development

    Education International’s president Susan Hopgood brought the Teach for the Planet campaign to UNESCO’s World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and emphasised the importance of collaborating with the teaching profession to successfully implement ESD.

    Governments must work in collaboration with teachers for education for sustainable development
  3. News 29 April 2021

    Iraq: Trade unionists ready to confront climate change

    Members of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) have committed to inserting environmental protection and climate change in curricula at all school levels. This development arises out of a seminar on climate change attended by the KTU.

    Iraq: Trade unionists ready to confront climate change
  6. Worlds of Education 23 April 2021

    “Millions of Teachers Urge World Leaders to Prioritize Climate Education”, by David Edwards and Kathleen Rogers.

    David Edwards, Kathleen Rogers

    Governments across the globe are overlooking two of the most powerful tools in the fight against climate change and the building of just, sustainable, societies—teachers and students. If humanity is to avoid the worst consequences of global warming and fast forward the green, clean and sustainable economies of tomorrow today,...

    “Millions of Teachers Urge World Leaders to Prioritize Climate Education”, by David Edwards and Kathleen Rogers.
  7. News 22 April 2021

    Invest in climate education to build a better workforce for a greener future

    Education International welcomes the Earth Day statement by the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation stressing that climate education and awareness raising are key to making a just transition to green economies that guarantee a “sustainable future for current and new generations”

    Invest in climate education to build a better workforce for a greener future
  8. Worlds of Education 21 April 2021

    “Students and teachers join forces for the planet”, by Sebastian Berger.

    Sebastian Berger

    As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world and claimed millions of lives, it also entrenched deep structural inequalities both at an international and community level. In a single moment, it distilled the shortcomings of our leaders and laid bare, with tragic consequences, the injustices of our societies.

    “Students and teachers join forces for the planet”, by Sebastian Berger.
  9. Worlds of Education 15 April 2021

    "What obstacles for Education for sustainable development among teaching staff?", by Dominique Bernier.

    Dominique Bernier

    Education International launched a survey on March 1 to measure teachers' perceptions of their individual capacity to teach the four thematic areas of education for sustainable development and global citizenship education (EDD / ECM). This survey also aims to assess the extent to which they are supported in their training...

    "What obstacles for Education for sustainable development among teaching staff?", by Dominique Bernier.
  10. News 7 April 2021

    Quality Climate Change Education for All: Education International Launches Global Campaign

    Representing 32.5 million educators worldwide, Education International is leading in the movement for climate education. On 21 April 2021, Education International will launch a multilevel campaign to ensure that climate education, based on science with a civic action focus, becomes as fundamental as teaching reading and writing.

    Quality Climate Change Education for All: Education International Launches Global Campaign
  13. Worlds of Education 8 January 2021

    “Can 2021 be the Critical Year for Climate Change Mobilisation?”, by Susan Hopgood.

    Susan Hopgood

    As we enter 2021 and wish each other a Happy New Year, the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines is a good reason for optimism regarding humanity’s most immediate threat. Unfortunately, when it comes to our most urgent long-term danger – climate change – there is no vaccine, no bright path before...

    “Can 2021 be the Critical Year for Climate Change Mobilisation?”, by Susan Hopgood.
  14. News 11 December 2020

    Five years into the Paris Agreement – Education International calls for governments to step up action on the climate emergency and prioritise the implementation of climate literacy for all

    Tomorrow, 12 December 2020, marks the 5-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement. As world leaders convene virtually to demonstrate their continued commitment, Education International calls for increased ambition and further acknowledgement of education’s important role in combatting the climate emergency.

    Five years into the Paris Agreement – Education International calls for governments to step up action on the climate emergency and prioritise the implementation of climate literacy for all
  15. News 1 December 2020

    Educators seek to influence UNESCO's 2021/22 Global Education Monitoring Report

    Teacher unions have a key role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their voices must be heard. That’s according to Education International in its latest contribution to the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report consultations on non-state actors.

    Educators seek to influence UNESCO's 2021/22 Global Education Monitoring Report
  16. Worlds of Education 19 November 2020

    “PISA 2018 in Scotland: Something to sing about!”, by Larry Flanagan.

    Larry Flanagan

    There is a football chant that is used to taunt opposing fans, most often when their team is losing, which goes, “You only sing when you’re winning…”, so in that vein let me reflect on the recent place of Scotland in the PISA 2018 results on Global Competencies!

    “PISA 2018 in Scotland: Something to sing about!”, by Larry Flanagan.
  17. News 19 November 2020

    The Global Climate Literacy Campaign

    In June 2020, the Education International Executive Board joined the global climate literacy initiative along with hundreds of other trade unions, education, civil society organisations, and individuals. The goal is to increase the understanding and knowledge of students of the climate crisis and to encourage action. The campaign is designed...

    The Global Climate Literacy Campaign
  18. Statements 18 November 2020

    Statement | Education International Calls for Universal Climate Change Education

    If it were not for the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders from around this world would at this moment be gathered in Glasgow for the final days of UNFCCC’s conference of parties (COP26). These meetings to monitor the Paris Agreement have been postponed until 2021 and this must not mean that action...

    Statement | Education International Calls for Universal Climate Change Education