La Française: Green minds, bright futures

July 26, 2024

Addressing climate change and more specifically its impact on the planet and all living beings requires immediate action.

The world is grappling with record-breaking temperatures, ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and persistent inflationary pressures. In this context, advocating for climate education has become critical. It empowers individuals and communities with the necessary knowledge, skills and motivation to combat climate change and foster resilience during challenging times.

Education, which is necessary for both climate change mitigation and adaptation, stands as an underestimated yet critical pillar of climate action. Consider this: children born in 2020 will face up to seven times more extreme weather events than their grandparents throughout their lifetime.

Young generations are the most impacted and ill-equipped in terms of climate education. Indeed, 70% of young people cannot explain climate change, can only explain broad principles or do not know anything about it. Addressing this knowledge gap requires more investment. Unfortunately, government aid towards education has been on a downward trend, decreasing from 14.7% in 2003 to 9.7% in 2021. This decline underscores the need for alternative funding sources to ensure comprehensive climate education.

Bridging this funding gap requires innovative approaches. For instance, a US$70 million investment initiative was launched at COP28 in December 2023 to build climate-resilient schools in vulnerable countries. Additionally, the Greening Education Partnership, spearheaded by UNESCO, aims to ensure that every learner is climate ready.

Structured around four key pillars – greening schools, greening curriculum, greening teacher training and education systems’ capacities and greening communities – the partnership addresses not only the scientific facts of climate change but also the socio-economic and behavioural aspects of climate justice, eco-anxiety and action-based solutions. These comprehensive educational frameworks are crucial to fostering a well-rounded understanding of climate issues and empowering future leaders to drive change.

Investing in young people’s education, particularly in the context of climate change and social justice, is essential for sustainable development. It is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 4, which focuses on quality education, and SDG 13, which emphasizes climate action.

Educating young people about climate change not only prepares them to face future challenges but also empowers them to be proactive agents of change in their communities. This empowerment can lead to innovative solutions and community-led initiatives that significantly contribute to global climate goals. By educating the future political leaders of the world, we ensure that future policies and decisions are made based on a deep understanding of climate issues.

One concrete success story is the International Finance facility for Education (IFFEd), which leverages donor commitments to unlock private sector investments in education. This model has successfully mobilized significant funding for education in developing countries, demonstrating that investments in education can yield substantial returns.

By engaging in responsible investment practices and supporting initiatives like the Greening Education Partnership, the financial sector can amplify efforts to combat climate change. Collective action from the financial sector could not only mitigate risks but also contribute to ensuring long-term sustainable growth and stability for future generations.

Investors are called to act now. The investment is not just in education but in the future resilience and prosperity of our planet and all living beings. The window of opportunity is narrow, but the potential impact is immense.