In this season's opening episode of Education for Climate Talks, moderator Trine Larsen speaks with Julia Heiss, Chief of the Section for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at UNESCO. ESD is a global movement to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to shape sustainable futures.
Julia explains how education systems can move beyond access to quality and relevance, ensuring learning connects to the realities of climate change and sustainability. She highlights the importance of transformative learning, teacher empowerment, and whole-school approaches that embed sustainability across curricula, governance, operations, and community engagement.
Listeners are introduced to UNESCO's global frameworks such as ESD for 2030 and the Greening Education Partnership, along with practical tools for schools and decision-makers:
- Greening Curriculum Guidance: teaching and learning for climate action
- Green School Quality Standard: greening every learning environment
Through global examples, including school transformation stories from Africa, Julia shows how education can act as a driver of climate action and sustainable development.
Correction: Please note, Julia mentioned that the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) has 97 countries and 1,007 members. She has since clarified that the correct number is 1,900 members.
Are you interested in watching previous episodes? Check the Education for Climate TALK
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