As the world builds toward COP31 in Türkiye, the stakes for meaningful climate action have never been higher. We sat down with Samed Ağırbaş, the UN Climate High-Level Champion for COP31, to talk about what it will take to turn pledges into progress, why climate education matters, and how a just transition can deliver opportunity for all.

Strategic Vision and Key Objectives for COP31

Rodolfo “Ropo” Beltrán, Regional Director for Brazil & Latin America, EARTHDAY.ORG

As the Climate High-Level Champion for COP31, your role is to help mobilize cities, businesses, financial institutions, civil society and other partners to accelerate climate delivery and ensure that commitments translate into measurable action. What are your main priorities as we approach COP31?

Samed Ağırbaş,  UN Climate High-Level Champion for COP31

One of my key objectives for COP31 is to build on the momentum of recent COPs. COP28 focused on the transition away from fossil fuels. COP29 advanced critical climate finance negotiations. COP30 in Belém reinforced the importance of implementation, translating Nationally Determined Contributions into measurable action. The direction is already clear. My goal is to catalyse delivery and scale up action to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.

I also want to bring together stakeholders across regions and sectors with a focus on scaling practical climate solutions. That means lowering barriers for vulnerable communities, youth, Indigenous Peoples and faith actors so they can participate meaningfully through dialogues and collaborative platforms.

Another priority is making climate discourse more relatable. Climate action cannot remain confined to boardrooms or policy circles. It must reach into our homes, communities, classrooms and workplaces.

Finally, there is the matter of delivery and complementarity. The world is currently off track in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. COP31 is a crucial moment to bridge the implementation gap before 2030. Türkiye’s position at the crossroads of North and South, East and West, gives it a unique opportunity to help foster a more inclusive and result-oriented process.

The Role of Climate Education in Strengthening Long-Term Climate Ambition

RB: Climate education is increasingly recognized as a critical pillar for long-term climate ambition. How do you see the role of education in accelerating climate action globally?

SA: Environmental education is fundamental to building a climate-conscious society. It equips people with the knowledge, skills and values needed to understand the environmental challenges we face and take meaningful action. Achieving this requires partnerships across formal and non-formal education systems, governments, civil society, the private sector and local communities. It means recognizing the value of traditional and Indigenous knowledge, which has long guided sustainable relationships with nature.

Young people have a particularly important role to play. They are already shaping public conversations on climate and sustainability, and many are driving change within businesses, institutions and communities. Strengthening intergenerational dialogue is essential. When young people engage with policymakers and financial institutions, they become powerful drivers of ambition and accountability.

At the same time, the numbers reveal a serious gap. Research by UNESCO shows that more than half of national education curricula make no reference to climate change, and only a small proportion address biodiversity. Many teachers also report lacking the training needed to teach climate-related subjects effectively.

Climate education must therefore extend beyond classrooms and support lifelong learning, including the development of green skills for those already in the workforce.

Climate Action as a Driver of Economic Opportunity and Green Jobs

RB: Climate action is often described not only as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity. How do you see the relationship between climate action and economic development?

SA: Climate action presents one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time. Countries that invest in strong climate strategies are positioning themselves for more resilient economies, greater energy security and leadership in emerging industries. These investments are already creating jobs, attracting capital, improving public health and reducing vulnerability to global energy shocks.

The transformation is underway. Renewable energy technologies like solar and wind are now often cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, and the clean energy sector already employs more than half of the global energy workforce. With the right policies, millions of additional jobs can be created in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and climate-smart infrastructure.

Cities will play a particularly important role, expanding clean public transport, improving waste management, restoring green spaces and investing in energy-efficient buildings can create jobs while reducing emissions and improving urban life.

Ultimately, climate action can deliver stronger economies, healthier societies and greater long-term stability. But for this to be realized, climate policies must also support adaptation and resilience, protect vulnerable communities, and involve businesses, cities and other non-state actors so that solutions are both investable and implementable at scale.

The Importance of Civil Society and International Collaboration

RB: Civil society organizations and international partnerships play an essential role in delivering climate action. How can these collaborations help accelerate financing and implementation?

SA: Many of the solutions to climate change already exist. What is often missing is the scale of financing needed to implement them. My role as Climate High-Level Champion is to help bring partners together so that investment flows to where it can make the greatest difference. Finance is ultimately the bridge between pledges and real-world change.

At COP29, Parties agreed to scale up support for developing countries to at least $300 billion annually by 2035. They also called on all actors to work together to mobilize USD 1.3 trillion per year in climate finance by 2035. The Baku to Belém Roadmap provides a pathway to help achieve that scale.

Collaboration is essential in this context. Governments set direction through policy and regulation, but implementation at scale depends on businesses, cities, civil society, financial institutions and communities. Civil society builds trust, accountability and public support, while the private sector brings innovation, investment and operational capacity.

A Final Message: The Importance of a Just Transition

RB: Is there any final message you would like to share as the world prepares for COP31?

SA: The message I want to emphasize is the importance of a just transition. Climate action needs to move quickly but it must also be fair and inclusive. If the transition leaves people behind, it will not be sustainable in the long term.

A just transition means ensuring that workers, communities and countries benefit from climate solutions as economies change. Climate action should create new jobs, strengthen local economies and open opportunities, rather than create fear or uncertainty for people whose livelihoods depend on existing systems.

This responsibility is shared, but it is not equal. Developed countries, given their historical emissions and financial capacity, have a greater role to play in supporting a fair transition. That means meeting climate finance commitments, strengthening support for loss and damage, and lowering the cost of capital for sustainable infrastructure in developing countries.

For me, a just transition is ultimately about building systems where vulnerable communities have access to training, new skills and real support to move into cleaner, more resilient livelihoods. If done well, the transition to a low-carbon future will not only reduce emissions. It will reduce inequality, strengthen resilience and create more stable, prosperous societies for everyone.

This interview was conducted by Rodolfo “Ropo” Beltrán, Regional Director for Brazil & Latin America at EARTHDAY.ORG. It has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The post Climate Action Belongs to Everyone: A Conversation with COP31 Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş appeared first on Earth Day.

For me and my EARTHDAY.ORG colleagues, Bryce Coon and Max Falcone, the quality and quantity of proposals, the inclusion of Indigenous and Amazonian voices, and the clarity of the collective ambition made this COP transformative.

An Extraordinary Leap in Climate Education: From 40 to 152

Perhaps one of the most remarkable achievements of COP30 is the global recognition of climate and environmental education as central to climate action. Today 152 nations have included climate education in their updated NDCs, a staggering advance from the original 40 countries after the 2015 Paris Agreement.

This accomplishment reflects nearly a decade of collective work by governments, ministries of environment and education, youth movements, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. For EARTHDAY.ORG, which has promoted, amplified and even defended environmental education since the very first Earth Day in 1970, this expansion represents a turning point.

It confirms that education is no longer peripheral—it is a pillar of national climate strategies. It provides a stronger foundation for green jobs, a just clean energy transition, and community resilience. It aligns science, policy, and civic action in ways unimaginable just a few years ago.

COP30 has demonstrated that when nations understand the role of education in long-term systems change and decision making, the world moves faster and more coherently toward solutions.

For the Love of Forests

One highlight was the renewed focus on the FTTT Initiative (Forests, Territories, Trees, and Transition)—a Brazilian proposal that integrates community-led forestry, canopy restoration, bioeconomy opportunities, and climate education. 

FTTT provides an institutional framework that other nations can adapt. EDO cares passionately about the health of the world’s forests and through out  Canopy Tree Project we have been planting millions of trees for decades.

Our own new series, UNDERREPORTED EARTH – “TREE TALES”– IG trail – sees Tracy McVeigh from The Guardian speak with three top investigative journalists about their groundbreaking reporting around forests: Elisangela Mendonça uncovers how the Amazon rainforest is being threatened by the collagen industry. Josephine Moulds takes us into the Congo Basin, where fossil fuel auctions are endangering one of the world’s most vital rainforest ecosystems. Ana Bottallo travels deep into the Amazonian mangroves to witness how local communities fought to have their voices heard.

The episodes go live November 17/18th/19th across EARTHDAY.ORG social media on Facebook: Ep.1, Ep.2, Ep.3 and YouTube: Ep.1, Ep.2, Ep.3. Well worth a listen and helps to reveal some of what the Indigenous communities are fighting for.

A Global Strategy to Align Donors and Investors

In the spirit of the Brazilian FTTT initiative, we need a Common Strategy for International Donors and Nonprofit Climate-Education Investors—a coordinated, global effort that channels resources efficiently. This strategy would align international philanthropy, development banks, corporate sustainability funds, and nonprofit networks toward measurable climate-education outcomes. 

It also facilitates long-term programs for teacher training, curriculum innovation, youth leadership, climate-literacy certification, and green-jobs pathways. Additionally, it will strengthen monitoring frameworks that allow countries to track progress in their NDC-aligned education initiatives.

During our meetings with Ambassador Tatiana Rosito, Secretary of International Affairs (SAIN) at Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, and with the team of professionals led by Maria Netto at the Instituto Clima e Sociedade (iCS), it became clear that Brazil’s emerging financial architecture creates unprecedented opportunities for climate education.

The plan’s first USD 10 billion FTTT-aligned phase paves the way for a complementary round of junior capital, philanthropic, and blended financing to advance climate education, youth entrepreneurship, and early-stage startups in Amazonian and traditional communities, ensuring Brazil’s energy transition delivers skills, livelihoods, and innovation to the territories that protect the forest.

This vision was shared in exclusive interviews we had with Wanjira Mathai Vice President and África Director of WRI and Manuel Pulgar Vidal, former Minister of Environment of Peru and President of COP20 LIMA , present WWF global climate Envoy.

Knowledge is Power

Brazil’s tradition of multirões—large, volunteer-driven collective actions—stood out during COP30. Indigenous Andean cultures made their voices heard at the COP like never before, in negotiations, and with demonstrations.  

We should heed their advice developed as they have enduring systems of cooperative labor that have shaped their ecological and social resilience: the Ayllu, a form of community kinship and shared stewardship of land; the Mita, a structured system of collaborative public service; and the Minka, a voluntary, communal practice for building, farming, and collective well-being. 

Recognizing these ancestral traditions reinforces the idea that climate action is not new—it is a continuation of the communal wisdom of Latin America. 

Many organizations recognize what we can learn from traditional wisdom –  Limpa Brasil,  Let’s Do It!, Reconnecta Escolas Pelo Clima, the Pastoral do Meio Ambiente of the Basilica of Nazaré, Brazilian Coalition for Climate Education CBEC, CTNEAC-FBMC, IPAM Amazônia, and many local schools and volunteer groups demonstrated at COP30 how respect and coordinated action amplifies results across all states of Brazil and beyond.

They, like us, know that investment in climate education must reach everyone – the students, teachers – of all communities. This includes Indigenous communities, quilombolas, and rural youth who are custodians of some of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Investments must expand access to climate-literacy training to the Amazonian communities and all Indigenous people.

The momentum generated in Belém must not be temporary—it must become a shared roadmap for the next decade. EARTHDAY.ORG reaffirms its commitment to supporting nations in implementing climate-education in their NDCs. 

As we look to Earth Day 2026 and beyond, the message from COP30 is clear; climate education is no longer optional—it is the foundation of resilience, green-job economies, and planetary stewardship. Brazil and the UNFCCC have helped make this reality visible on the global stage. For that, EARTHDAY.ORG extends its sincere gratitude—and its renewed determination to turn this historic momentum into lasting, transformative action.

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Solar arrays farms, industrial battery storage facilities, new transmission lines, and wind turbines are visible symbols of the global energy transition. But beneath them lies vital yet invisible infrastructure that makes the green transition possible: knowledge, awareness, and values. 

Climate education builds this vital foundation. Without it, the transition risks stalling. With it, the clean energy transition becomes not only possible, but transformative; delivering cleaner air, stronger economies, and a fairer future for us all. 

On the road to COP30 — the 30th UN Climate Change Conference and the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, taking place in November 2025 in Belém, Brazi l— one message is clear: investing in climate education is as essential as investing in the manufacture of solar panels.

Why? Because this transformation is only partly technica l— someone still has to source materials, design, build, install, sell, promote, and maintain these technologies. But it is also cultural, social, and economic, affecting every worker, household, and community. Without climate education, the clean energy transition risks not only a shortage of skilled workers but also public misunderstanding or resistance to renewable energy. Climate education empowers people, creates millions of new career opportunities worldwide, and helps lower energy costs — especially at a time when data centers and AI-driven demand are pushing energy prices to record highs.

PEOPLE WANT RENEWABLE ENERGY 

In the U.S. alone, 67% of adults think we should develop more renewable energy which is good because electricity from solar, wind, and hydropower provides nearly a quarter of the US’s total electricity generation  in 2024. 

3.56 million Americans are employed in the renewable energy sector and solar alone provides almost 3 times as many jobs much fossil fuels.Climate education is the most efficient ways to train future workers to fill these safer, competitive paying  renewable energy jobs. 

The U.S. is not the only country transitioning to clean energy. The International Labour Organization, ILO, estimates that the transition could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030 in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy industries, and green manufacturing. These roles will require skilled workers and informed leaders; people who understand both the science of climate change and the technologies that address it.

INDUSTRY NEEDS CLIMATE EDUCATION

Climate education, embedded in schools, universities, and vocational training, ensures that young people and workers alike have these skills to thrive in this new landscape. Technical knowledge (such as how to install solar panels or maintain wind turbines) is only part of the equation. Equally important are critical thinking, problem-solving, and the confidence to act on climate challenges, 

We know that climate education literally changes how you think. Students who receive environmental education are significantly more likely to support ambitious climate policies as adults and subconsciously make environmentally friendly choices (or have green muscle memory). When young people understand the links between energy, economy, and ecology, they become agents of change in their communities. Over time, this creates a cultural shift: sustainability becomes part of everyday life rather than a distant ideal.

What is more, governments that include climate education in their energy plans aren’t just telling people what to do—they’re helping citizens understand why the policies exist. 

When people understand the reasons behind climate policies, they’re more likely to support them and take part. In this way education turns climate action into something everyone contributes to, not just a set of rules from above. It also ensures that as countries invest in clean technologies, they’re also investing in the skills and knowledge of their people, making the transition more effective and sustainable over the long term.

In short: Education = people understand = support = actively take part in the energy transition= better outcomes for us all

COP30 – WE NEED CLIMATE EDUCATION IN EVERY NDC

Soon, the world will gather in Belém, Brazil, for COP30 — to focus not on creating new promises, but on delivering existing ones.

Here, EARTHDAY.ORG’s  message is clear: investing in climate education is as essential as investing in clean energy itself. It is the invisible infrastructure that holds the visible world together, the cornerstone of a just, inclusive, and enduring energy transition.

If you agree with EARTHDAY.ORG’s agenda at COP30 to have all countries incorporate climate education into their Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs, pledge your support here. NDCs are the climate action plans each country submits, detailing how they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. NDCs, pledge your support here. Plus, you can track what every nation around the world is doing to back climate education on our Climate Education NDCs Tracker.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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As COP30 enters its fourth day in Belém, Brazil, a growing global movement is calling for climate education to become a cornerstone of national strategies.

In an exclusive interview with Juan Carlos Navarro,  the current Minister of Environment for Panama and the President of the Forum of Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean (for the 2025–2027 term). Speaking with Rodolfo Beltrán, Director of South America, EARTHDAY.ORG, Minister Juan Navarro’s  remarks arrive at a pivotal moment, as world leaders gather in the heart of the planet’s most biodiverse nation to chart the course for the next decade of climate action.

Ropo Beltran:  As Panama assumes the Presidency of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, what do you consider to be the most important achievements of this major regional and international forum, and what are the joint future goals of this important forum of 33 ministers?

Minister Juan Navarro: When assuming the Presidency of the Forum, Panama recognizes that this platform is the main political space for environmental coordination in the continent. Historic results were achieved in Lima: a renewed agenda that responds to the triple planetary crisis with concrete action plans on restoration and water security, air quality, chemicals, waste, and methane reduction. Essential approaches were also incorporated, such as circular economy, gender equity, environmental education, and Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge.

Our goal now is clear: to turn these commitments into measurable results, drive their financing, and ensure that each country moves forward with the technical and political support of the Forum. Panama will work to strengthen implementation and cooperation among the 33 countries, ensuring that the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean is heard as one in global Forums!

Ropo Beltran: The Forum in Lima adopted key regional action plans to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. How will these collective measures—such as the updated Regional Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration and Water Security, and the new programs on air quality, chemicals, and methane emissions—generate long-term social and economic benefits for the region?

Minister Juan Navarro: The decisions adopted in Lima respond to the urgency of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution simultaneously. The new regional plans propose solutions with direct social and economic benefits: restoring ecosystems improves water and food security; reducing methane decreases pollution and creates opportunities for innovation in the waste sector; improving air quality reduces public health costs.

These measures are not only environmental—they are engines of sustainable development and green employment. Latin America can lead an ecological transition with social justice, and the Forum will be the platform that integrates science, policies, and financing to achieve it. We will also strengthen synergy among the three Rio Conventions: Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification, to ensure coherence in implementation and maximize shared benefits for communities and ecosystems.

Rodolfo Beltran: With 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean now aligned under a renewed agenda, how do you envision this unity strengthening the region’s voice in global negotiations, particularly at COP30 in Belém at the end of this year?

Minister Juan Navarro:The regional unity achieved in Lima is a political message of enormous weight. In a fragmented global context, Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrated that they can speak with one voice. This will strengthen our common positions in spaces such as the United Nations Environment Assembly and COP30 in Belém. Panama will promote coordination among our three major Rio Conventions—Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification—under a unified approach of coherence and integrated action. Only then can we negotiate as a bloc, attract financing, and demonstrate that the region is not a source of problems but a source of solutions.

Ropo Beltran: The Forum highlighted the Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation as a symbol of ecological connectivity and biodiversity protection. Why are these emblematic species so important for the region, and how can their conservation contribute to broader ecosystem restoration goals?

Minister Juan Navarro:The Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation symbolizes the connection between biodiversity and human well-being. Protecting the jaguar means maintaining biological corridors that ensure the health of our ecosystems, water regulation, and climate stability. These species are indicators of ecological balance and also of cultural identity. Their conservation drives sustainable tourism, strengthens local economies, and fosters regional pride in our natural heritage.

Panama is committed to promoting projects that integrate science, communities, and financing to protect these species and restore ecosystems at a regional scale.

Rodolfo Beltran: The Lima Declaration emphasized the importance of gender perspective, Indigenous knowledge, circular economy, and education for sustainability. In your opinion, how can education and public awareness be scaled so that communities in Latin America and the Caribbean become active participants in this transition?

Minister Juan Navarro: Environmental and climate education is the foundation of all transformation. If we want just and sustainable transitions, communities must be protagonists. From Panama, we will promote a regional pillar of education for sustainability involving schools, universities, media, and community organizations.

The Lima Declaration marked a turning point: incorporating gender perspective, traditional knowledge, and the circular economy into education. Our commitment is that these principles be reflected in public policies and national budgets. An informed and empowered citizenry is the best tool to care for the planet.

This week, Panama’s Ministry of Environment launched a public consultation on a draft decree to establish a National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), a measure that would consolidate the country’s regulated voluntary carbon market and activities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This represents a significant step forward for Latin America’s leadership in developing high-integrity, transparent carbon markets that generate real results for climate and nature.

With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates our voluntary carbon market and connects it with the mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.

With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates the role of the voluntary carbon market and connects it with other market mechanisms such as those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.

Through the SNMCP, Panama reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its status as a carbon-negative country, promoting a green economy that generates employment, protects forests, and directly benefits local and Indigenous communities. It is an example of the Latin American leadership we want to project toward COP30 in Belém, demonstrating that sustainable development and climate action can advance together.

Rodolfo Beltran: This week, Panama’s Ministry of Environment launched a public consultation on a draft decree to establish a National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), a measure that would consolidate the country’s regulated voluntary carbon market and activities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This represents a significant step forward for Latin America’s leadership in developing high-integrity, transparent carbon markets that generate real results for climate and nature. Tell us about that.

Minister Juan Navarro: With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates our voluntary carbon market and connects it with the mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.

With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates the role of the voluntary carbon market and connects it with other market mechanisms such as those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.

Through the SNMCP, Panama reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its status as a carbon-negative country, promoting a green economy that generates employment, protects forests, and directly benefits local and Indigenous communities. It is an example of the Latin American leadership we want to project toward COP30 in Belém, demonstrating that sustainable development and climate action can advance together.

Rodolfo Beltran: What is the role of civil society and climate education in NDCs?

Minister Juan Navarro: We deeply recognize and value the work of organizations such as EARTHDAY.ORG in promoting climate education as a pillar of Nationally Determined Contributions. Climate action cannot be limited to governments; it requires alliances with civil society, the private sector, and academia.

From Panama, we extend an invitation to EARTHDAY.ORG and other like-minded organizations to collaborate on regional initiatives such as the Nature Pledge, which promotes synergy among the three Rio Conventions and the integration of education, biodiversity, and climate under one framework. 

We firmly believe that climate education can and should be a driver of regional cooperation and cultural transformation. Forming conscious and committed citizens is as important as reducing emissions. We will work with regional partners to turn education into a tool of resilience, equity, and joint action.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s Rodolfo Beltran as well as Bryce Coon, our Director of Education, and MAx Falcoe , our Global Advisor are on the ground at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ensuring that climate education remains firmly on the agenda. Alongside ministers, negotiators, and civil society, they’ll be pushing for the inclusion of education in every single nation’sNDC. You can keep track of progress with our Climate Education NDCs Tracker.

The post Exclusive: Panama’s Environment Minister Champions Climate Education at COP30 appeared first on Earth Day.

When countries submitted their first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement in 2015, climate education was largely an afterthought. For clarity they were called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) back then and before the Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, countries were asked to submit their proposed climate plans.

When the Paris Agreement entered into force these INDCs were formally converted into NDCsonce countries ratified the agreement. So, effectively, the first round of NDCs were the INDCs submitted in 2015, and they became official NDCs upon ratification 2016 onward!.

The earliest NDCs focused on energy, transport, forestry, and finance. Few included measurable climate education goals. Early adopters such as Costa Rica, Colombia, Cambodia, Benin, Malawi, Vanuatu, and the EU, UK, and Dominican Republic set important precedents, integrating climate education into curricula, teacher training, or community learning. Of 133 NDCs reviewed, only 40 countries mentioned climate or environmental education specifically in strategies for mitigation, adaptation, or resilience. 

By October 2025, the picture has transformed: 152 countries now meaningfully include, reference, or institutionalize climate education, marking a clear shift toward recognizing education as a strategic tool in climate action.

WHY DOES CLIMATE EDUCATION MATTER?

Here’s why climate education in all schools matters: it empowers students to navigate the climate crisis and helps to alleviate eco-anxiety. On top of that, it equips students and all  learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the burgeoning green economy. 

According to the latest World Bank  2025 report on the subject, Are Green and Digital Skills a Pathway to Jobs in the Middle East and North Africa?, the demand for green and digital skills is rapidly outpacing supply, underscoring the urgency of integrating these competencies into educational curricula.

Similarly, LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Green Skills Report highlights a significant gap between the increasing demand for green talent and the available workforce, with global demand for green skills growing approximately twice as fast as supply between 2023 and 2024.. 

Countries such as Costa Rica, Colombia, Cambodia, Benin, Malawi, Vanuatu, and members of the EU, UK, and Dominican Republic have pioneered efforts by embedding climate education into national curricula, teacher training, and community initiatives. These countries have not only addressed environmental concerns but have also laid the groundwork for a workforce adept in sustainable practices and green technologies.

As the global economy shifts towards sustainability, integrating climate education in school curricula globally is becoming an imperative. especially in preparing the workforce for careers in the energy transition industries of solar and wind. 

WE HAVE LIFT OFF!

It was from 2016 onwards that climate education began to gain real traction. UNESCO’s Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (2015–2019) framed education as a driver of transformation, helping to mainstream sustainability principles across education systems. The implementation guidance adopted at COP24 in Katowice in 2018 provided an international framework for education, awareness, training, and public participation under Article 12 of the Paris Agreement—known as Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). Meanwhile, civil society, led by EARTHDAY.ORG’s Climate Education Coalition, mobilized governments to embed climate education into their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

EARTHDAY.ORG has played a pivotal role in both tracking and mainstreaming the concept of climate education through its decades long advocacy for teaching students about climate change.  

At COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2022, EARTHDAY.ORG’s Global Climate Education Coalition was launched to bring together more than 100 youth focused partner organizations to further champion climate education. Building on EDO’s 2020 Climate and Environmental Literacy Campaign, the Coalition advocates for countries to embed education and civic engagement into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The Coalition positions education as a strategic tool for resilience and green transformation, empowering young people to take a lead in creating a sustainable future. 

All of this advocacy and campaigning was made even more accessible by EARTHDAY.ORG’s communication team’s decision to create an NDC Tracker in 2024. This tracker monitors which countries include, or omit climate education and is maintained by EDO’s dedicated education team with the help of their interns. The tracker cleverly divides climate education adoption into 4 categories, 1 featuring the most significant adopters. By translating complex UNFCCC language into clear data EARTHDAY.ORG is amplifying calls for climate education and is a measurable component of climate ambition.

By October 2025, 62 countries explicitly integrated climate education into school curricula, Kindergarten through Grade 12 (Category 1 on the EARTHDAY.ORG NDC Tracker), while 64 countries referenced it as important without specifying curricular inclusion (Category 2 in the NDC Tracker). One of these 64 in Category 2 represents the EU’s 27 member states.

Altogether, 152 nations have now meaningfully included climate education in their NDCs. Only a few countries remain without mention—a nearly four-fold increase since 2015, demonstrating the powerful alignment between education policy and climate commitments.

REGIONAL PROGRESS IS KEY

Regional progress is notable. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Panama have moved from symbolic mentions to institutional mandates. Coalitions like the Brazilian Coalition for Climate Education link ministries, civil society, and private actors to anchor education in energy-transition narratives. 

In Africa, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Namibia, and Benin have launched teacher-training curricula integrating climate content, with the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) endorsing education as a national priority. 

In Asia and the Pacific, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Vanuatu, and the Marshall Islands operationalize climate education across school systems, where literacy is critical for survival in Small Island Developing States. Europe continues embedding environmental education into Green Deal and Just Transition frameworks.

Challenges remain. Few NDCs include indicators for educational outcomes, funding for climate education remains limited, rural and Indigenous communities often lack access, and cross-ministerial coordination is weak. Dedicated funding through mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and Transforming the Future Fund is essential to close these gaps.

WORK STILL TO BE DONE

Around 40 countries have yet to integrate climate education into their NDCs. But UNFCCC procedures allow them to submit updates at COP30 Belém to align with global consensus. COP30, the first UN Climate Conference in the Amazon, brings together civil society—including EARTHDAY.ORG, the Brazilian Coalition for Climate Education, IPAM Amazônia, and youth networks—advocating for a Belém Declaration on Climate Education. 

All parties are urged to integrate climate education into their NDC 3.0 revisions, fund teacher training and curriculum reform, and include education indicators in the Global Stocktake 2028. If adopted, Belém could mark the moment when education becomes a measurable lever of climate ambition rather than a footnote.

From 40 nations in 2015 to 152 in 2025, climate education’s inclusion in NDCs reflects the growing maturity of global climate governance. EARTHDAY.ORG’s NDC Tracker provides the transparency and accountability needed to sustain this progress. What is more, we will have a three person team in Belém, during COP30, including myself to keep advocating for climate education. If you want to speak with EARTHDAY.ORG about supporting our efforts, please reach out to me here: beltran@earthday.org

Education is no longer peripheral; it is the foundation of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. As the world converges on COP30 Belém, the message is clear: teaching climate action is itself a form of climate action. If you agree there is an urgent need for all nations to incorporate climate education in their NDCs,  add your name to our Climate Literacy Petition to pledge your support.

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The intricate interplay between health, education, and climate establishes a vital nexus with the profound capacity to shape human well-being, sustainable development, and the future of our planet. This exploration delves into the intricate connections among these three elements and their collective influence on individuals, societies, and the environment.

Interconnected Realities of Human Existence 

Health, an essential facet of human existence, is intricately intertwined with education and climate. A robust and healthy population inherently boosts productivity, and accessible, high-quality healthcare is pivotal in enabling individuals to lead enriched lives. The evolving climate introduces both direct and indirect health implications, including escalating temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifts in disease patterns that impose significant health risks. This underscores the necessity of proactive adaptation strategies and resilient healthcare infrastructure. 

Education acts as a catalyst for enhanced health outcomes and addressing climate-related challenges. A well-educated populace is more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles, make informed well-being decisions, and actively contribute to sustainable practices. Education empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills required to mitigate and adapt to climate change, cultivating environmental awareness and advocating for sustainable behaviors. 

Additionally, climate, a global phenomenon, extends its far-reaching implications to health and education. Climate disruptions have the potential to disrupt educational routines, damage critical infrastructure, and displace communities, particularly in vulnerable regions. Furthermore, climate-related health risks, such as vector-borne diseases and food insecurity, hinder learning and exacerbate existing inequalities.

Fostering Resilience

Addressing the intricate relationship of health, education, and climate requires a holistic and integrated approach, with collaboration among policymakers, educators, and health professionals being essential to devise comprehensive strategies promoting these three facets in harmony. Investments in robust healthcare systems, accessible education, and climate adaptation measures are pivotal to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for all. Prioritizing these interconnected aspects can lead to improved health outcomes, enriched educational opportunities, and a more resilient response to climate challenges. 

Recognizing and acting upon these interdependencies is pivotal for fostering a healthier, more educated, and climate-resilient global population, ultimately paving the way towards a future where human well-being, sustainable development, and the vitality of our planet are mutually upheld and safeguarded.

EARTHDAY.ORG believes every learner in every school has the right to receive fully integrated and assessed climate education, coupled with a strong civic engagement component. Over fifty years ago, the first Earth Day started an environmental revolution. Now, our Climate and Environmental Literacy Campaign is igniting an education revolution to spark innovation, help build a pipeline of green jobs, and save our planet. Join us in the fight for equitable climate education worldwide by signing the open letter to the COP 28 UAE Presidency demanding cooperation and collaborative action to establish quality education for children, youth, and adults worldwide to combat the climate crisis. 

For more ways to take action, please visit: https://earthday.org/campaign/climate-environmental-literacy/ 

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