Turning Over A New Leaf: UAE’s Climate Change Education Plan In Fighting Climate Change:
As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, including intense heatwaves, devastating floods, and destructive storms, the UAE is taking a bold step forward to tackle this global issue head-on. The country has launched a groundbreaking Climate Change Education Plan to fight climate change by promoting green change, education, and climate change awareness in schools. The plan also includes training over 1,400 principals and 2,800 teachers to equip students with the knowledge and skills to combat global warming and stop climate change.
With the UN calling for compulsory climate education in schools by 2025, the UAE’s Climate Change Education Plan sets an inspiring example for other nations. By teaching students about green change, fighting climate change, and how to stop global warming, we can empower them to take action and make a difference in the world.
The Role Of Education In Fighting Climate Change: UAE’s Efforts
The power of individual action toward climate change remains crucial, highlighting the importance of education in shaping mindsets, behaviors, and attitudes toward the environment. Taking up the mantle, the UAE is set to roll out a groundbreaking international eco-education initiative to instill in the younger generation the vital role they play in safeguarding our planet. The program aims to empower students of all ages with the knowledge and tools to inspire a paradigm shift toward environmental consciousness and action.
Knowledge, Skills, Values: UAE’s Guidebook To Sustainability Education And Green Change
To achieve environmental sustainability, the UAE has launched an initiative comprising four main themes, each with specific goals. These themes include Greening Schools, Greening Learning, Greening Capabilities, and Greening Communities. Under Greening Schools, the initiative aims to develop a framework for schools and universities to become more environmentally friendly while encouraging sustainable practices among students and the wider community. The goal is to have 50% of UAE schools accredited as ‘green’ and more than 70 eco-friendly campuses in the country by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Greening Learning will introduce guidebooks for sustainability-focused co-curricular activities, based on developing knowledge, skills, and values. To ensure pupils at all levels are exposed to sustainable development concepts, the Ministry has teamed up with IRENA since 2019 to implement a cross-curriculum framework under Greening Capabilities.
UAE’s Comprehensive Programme For Climate Education With UNICEF And UNESCO
The UAE’s updated educational framework aims to establish a common language for all education systems with the creation of open toolkits for the country’s schools that can be adapted globally. The Greening Capacities segment will train master trainers in every school to implement the framework, with a comprehensive program developed in partnership with UNICEF. The Greening Communities segment, developed with UNESCO, promotes sustainable development through unique approaches in each emirate, encouraging community engagement and collaboration. Each emirate will have its unique approach to engaging schools and universities in sustainable development, with pupils having ample opportunities for increased community participation.
