Education for climate action

Education is crucial to promote climate action. It helps people understand and address the impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change.

The international community recognizes the importance of education and training to address climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the associated  Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) agenda call on governments to educate, empower and engage all stakeholders and major groups on policies and actions relating to climate change. 

Through its Education for Sustainable Development programme, UNESCO has been working to make education a more central and visible part of the international response to climate change.

Acting as a global advocate and aiming to strengthen capacities of governments to provide quality Climate Change Education (CCE), UNESCO produces and shares knowledge, provides policy guidance and technical support to its Member States and implements projects on the ground. UNESCO encourages innovative approaches and enhances non-formal education programmes through media, networking and partnerships.

Climate action is one of the key thematic priority of ‘ESD for 2030’, the Education for Sustainable Development’s global framework for the next 10 years.