Combating climate change through quality education

This policy brief presents a framework for the existing communities of practice to mobilize around in order to promote education for sustainable development; and also integrate disaster risk reduction, quality learning, and environmental and climate change education. It explores how education for climate change action can be leveraged through existing international agreements and relevant agendas; and asserts that investing in quality education to combat climate change is an essential tool in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The brief recommends an expansion of the climate change agenda to include education as a tool in adaptation and mitigation strategies. It asserts that disaster risk reduction is a critical component of this process, as risk reduction through education can enable individuals and communities to gain new knowledge and skills; and change attitudes and behaviours. It advocates for an expanded climate change agenda that promotes education as a tool to enhance adaptive capacity and ensure that lifestyles and livelihoods are climate-friendly, reduce vulnerabilities and manage risk; and calls for this work to be carried out in partnership with the education, climate change, risk reduction, sustainable development and environmental sustainability communities.

This policy brief is authored by the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution.