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.

This high-level panel will launch a new set of country profiles produced by the GEM Report and MECCE Project exploring the latest country progress on climate change education, training and public awareness and address the question of how these findings support decision making and prioritization of policy and practice. 

While building on the Transforming Education Summit, Greening Education Partnership and UNESCO’s revised Recommendation concerning Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development, the event looks towards the UN Summit of the Future. This COP28 side-event provides an opportunity to deepen our collective efforts to move beyond commitments to action on climate change education and communication. 

The session will feature inputs from ministers of education championing climate action, youth, and civil society advocates all working together to build capacity and promote action within an urgent global timeframe.

Confirmed speakers: 

• Anna D'Addio, Global Thematic Lead, GEM Report

• Jeffery Sachs, Columbia University

• Piia Immonen-Seuguenot, Secretary-General of the Finnish National Commission to UNESCO, Ministry of Education and Culture

• Dr. Juhani Damski, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Finland

• Dr AlAnoud AlHaj the Educational Policies Director, Ministry of Education, UAE

• Abdoulaye Faye, Head of the Planning, Monitoring-Evaluation and Partnership Division at the Environmental Education and Training Center, Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Senegal 

• Rehna Harris, Shining Star International School Abu Dhabi, UAE

• Afreen Bushra, Climate Educator, UAE 

Event open to all COP28 registered participants.