Climate Change Education Introduction Paper - Ready for the World - Empowering Learners Through Climate Change Education

Oct 23, 2026

Upload by Levi

Climate change education is presented as a key strategy to tackle the climate crisis, given rising global temperatures, extreme weather, and the need to mitigate impacts. The paper argues that high-quality, holistic learning across primary and secondary ages equips learners with knowledge and skills to respond locally and globally. It emphasizes equity, wellbeing, critical thinking to counter misinformation and greenwashing, and curriculum alignment, while highlighting the role of partnerships and community engagement to embed change into programmes and support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction: education is key to tackling the climate crisis

High-quality education matters

A beacon of high-quality climate change education for all

Across all subjects: a multi-disciplinary curriculum

Across all school ages of primary and secondary education

Aligned approach across teaching and learning (pedagogy)

Mental health and wellbeing

Assessing climate change education – learners and educators

Embedding change in our programmes and support

Context matters

Recognising the diversity of local, national and international contexts

Addressing controversy on climate change

We practise what we teach

Join our community on climate change education

References

Introduction paper Ready for the world Empowering learners through climate change education [www.cambridgeinternational.org/climatechangeeducation](www.cambridgeinternational.org/climatechangeeducation) Contents Introduction: education is key to tackling the climate crisis ....................................... 1 High-quality education matters ...................................................................... 2 A beacon of high-quality climate change education for all ..................................... 2 Across all subjects: a multi-disciplinary curriculum ................................................ 3 Across all school ages of primary and secondary education ................................... 4 Aligned approach across teaching and learning (pedagogy) ................................. 6 Mental health and wellbeing .......................................................................... 7 Assessing climate change education – learners and educators ............................... 8 Embedding change in our programmes and support ........................................... 10 Context matters ......................................................................................... 11 Recognising the diversity of local, national and international contexts ...................... 11 Addressing controversy on climate change ....................................................... 12 We practise what we teach........................................................................... 13 Join our community on climate change education................................................ 14 References ............................................................................................... 15 Introduction: education is key to tackling the climate crisis Last year was the warmest on record. The planet was 1.48ºC hotter in 2023 compared with the time before the mass burning of fossil fuels, and 20241 could be even warmer. The extreme heat triggered destructive wildfires, storms and floods around the world. Alongside approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources and protecting biodiversity, education is now recognised as a major strategy to mitigate climate change. While students in some countries have been demanding such education is added to their curriculum,2 a new UNICEF-Gallup poll reveals that while most children and young people say they have heard of climate change, only half understand what it is.3 Cambridge wants to build a new climate education community to address this challenge. Education is a vital component of climate change action because it plays a crucial role in equipping current and future generations with the holistic knowledge and skills to address climate-related challenges at local, national and global levels. Only by understanding the origins and impacts of climate change can learners develop appropriate policies and technologies to innovate in ways that can save our planet4. Moreover, improved understanding of the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities helps drive equitable climate action, and climate change education enables learners to discern accurate information from misinformation and claims of environmental benefits that do not exist (greenwashing). To achieve its aims, climate change education needs tobe high quality, holistic across the curriculum and school ages, and able to set global issues in a local context. Our ambition at Cambridge is to build such an educational approach by listening to our global community of educators, policymakers, thought leaders and learners, and understanding their requirements. Only through such education will young people across the globe be ready for a world impacted by climate change. [www.cambridgeinternational.org](www.cambridgeinternational.org) Climate change education 1 High-quality education matters A beacon of high-quality cli

FAQs

Why is climate change education considered essential for action on the climate crisis?

It equips current and future generations with holistic knowledge and skills to address climate-related challenges, enabling learners to understand origins and impacts and to develop appropriate policies and technologies.

What problem does the paper identify regarding learners’ understanding of climate change?

Despite most children and young people saying they have heard of climate change, only half understand what it is, creating a gap that education should address.

How does climate change education help learners deal with misinformation and greenwashing?

By enabling learners to discern accurate information from misinformation and from claims of environmental benefits that do not exist.

Oct 23, 2026

Upload by Levi