UNESCO promotes a global transformation toward greener schools
UNESCO defines Green Schools as institutions that integrate sustainability into every aspect of school life, including governance, infrastructure, teaching, operations, and community engagement. Through the Greening Education Partnership, the organization seeks to transform education systems into drivers of sustainable development. Since the launch of the Green School Quality Standard in 2024, nearly 112,000 schools across 98 countries have aligned with this global initiative, which aims to reach at least 50% of schools worldwide by 2030.
The Green School Quality Standard establishes four key dimensions
To guide implementation, UNESCO developed the Green School Quality Standard, the first international framework designed specifically for sustainable schools. The model is structured around four dimensions: school governance, facilities and operations, teaching and learning, and community engagement. Rather than focusing exclusively on environmental education, the framework encourages schools to embed sustainability into decision-making processes, daily practices, and relationships with the communities they serve.
Green curricula prepare students for climate and sustainability challenges
Complementing the school standards, UNESCO introduced the Greening Curriculum Guidance to help countries integrate sustainability across all educational levels and subjects. The guidance outlines learning objectives from early childhood to adulthood and promotes cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral competencies. By combining knowledge with practical action, green schools aim to equip learners with the skills needed to address climate change, environmental degradation, and broader sustainability challenges throughout their lives.
Reference
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (2026, april 20). What you need to know about green schools. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/what-you-need-know-about-green-schools