COP28 special: climate adaptation and education/learning

In our previous update we touched on the importance of linking up with other trade unions and offering the expertise within the education sector to shore up widespread support and pressure for climate adaptation across the country.

Working within the education sector, UCU members have huge power and influence over the education agenda, from access to research that can feed into setting the strategy for the education requirements of the future, to embedding these changes into the curriculum. Education for sustainable development is a key aspect of the Green New Deal claim lodged by the University of Liverpool and used as a model elsewhere and highlights the need for educators to not only ensure learners have the knowledge and skills required for the future but also, and most importantly, the ability to apply them.

In essence, we need culture change and thought leaders in every area of society. Where they don't currently exist, training and education will be essential tools for developing individuals and teams so they are ready and empowered.The strengths of our sector range the full gamut of requirements for the future. Specific industries will need reskilling and upskilling if we are to invest in new technologies such as renewable energy generation and storage to the scale needed. But there is much more to climate adaptation than this. Understanding climate science and technology is only half the picture - we also need people in various industries from law to policy-making, from media to the creative arts to reflect, imagine, represent and engage with communities and within their own industries to change hearts, minds and effect positive change. In essence, we need culture change and thought leaders in every area of society. Where they don't currently exist, training and education will be essential tools for developing individuals and teams so they are ready and empowered. We know marginalised communities are least responsible for but disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis, therefore we need to ensure that embedding climate education into teaching, learning and training is considerate of the justice element of climate action.

The education sector also brings people together across industries and subject areas in a way that is conducive to innovation, lateral thinking and creativity. In education we could perhaps enable learners to think through concepts related to the individual, society and the globe, from addressing eco-anxiety to working with international legal frameworks, from scaling up renewable technologies to community engagement. Whatever your role in your workplace, your community, or your subject specialism, whatever your passion, think about what attributes and qualities you can bring, and help others to find theirs.

Young people and students are also taking action to call for better climate education within their institutions, at a national policy level and through international policy spaces. A positive example of this comes from Mock COP, an international youth-led campaign who have been mobilising since 2020 when COP26 was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to be leading the way on youth-led campaigning for meaningful and better climate education which delivers on climate justice. In August this year, Mock COP held a Mock Education Ministers Summit, which culminated in the first ever unified statement on climate education from the world's youth.

During COP28 this year, stay tuned for 8 December - Youth, children, education and skills day - when we'll be sharing more on this critical strand of climate adaptation in our education spaces.

Resources:

• UCU Climate learning resources
• Mock COP
• Climate Change Education at COP28

Events:

• Re-scheduled - We Make Tomorrow Conference, now taking place on 28th January
• At COP28:
  • Universities climate network roundtable
  • RewirED summit
  • 8th December 2023: Youth, children, education and skills day
  • Check out the full agenda