Education for Climate Action: Integrating education into Nationally Determined Contributions

This guidance document, titled Education for Climate Action: Integrating Education into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), aims to strengthen the involvement of Ministries of Education and education sector partners in national climate policy processes. Despite education being recognized in international climate agreements since 1992, it remains underrepresented in NDCs. The document highlights the critical role of education in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building, especially as countries prepare their third round of NDCs (NDC 3.0) for submission in 2025. It outlines the importance of integrating education to meet international climate finance requirements, enhance climate-smart education systems, and ensure children’s rights to a safe, resilient learning environment.

The guidance provides a step-by-step process for including education in NDCs, identifies key entry points across sectors such as adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk management, and just transition, and presents actionable activities, targets, and indicators. It emphasizes the role of education in fostering climate literacy, pro-environmental behaviors, and green skills for future jobs. The document also includes a rapid assessment checklist, policy alignment strategies, and financing considerations. By elevating education in climate strategies, the guidance seeks to enhance national ambition, secure climate finance, and build resilient societies capable of addressing the escalating climate crisis.