Encouraging women to take on leadership roles in unions and policymaking is strategically necessary for promoting climate action. This was the key lesson at the fishbowl discussion led by women education unionists, a feature of the Educators for Climate Justice and Just Transition conference, which was held in Kathmandu, Nepal last April.

In 2024, Southeast Asian education unions led the way in promoting climate justice and a just transition framework through strong union leadership and collaboration. The examples from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines showed that unions can raise wider climate consciousness among students and educators, and influence policies towards improving climate adaptation in the education sector.

Our colleagues at the National Association of Educators for Development (NEAD in Cambodia has produced a climate action video alongside their Grade 11 students under the theme “One Student, One Tree.” This video was supported by Education International Asia-Pacific.

What is heat stress and what can schools do to prevent heat stress in the classroom?

Just transition aims to place justice and equity at the heart of our economy’s greening process. It strives to integrate environmental sustainability with concerns for human and labour rights, ensuring that as we work towards a low-carbon economy and a liveable future, we also safeguard decent work and human rights so that NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. Because the actions we need to pursue to tackle climate change must also address the structural inequalities it is already exacerbating.

Based on “Teach for Climate Action: An advocacy toolkit on Climate Change Education for Educators and Their Unions,” EIAP launched an animation video that provides an overview of how educators can teach climate change more effectively.

Adapted from Michael Waller’s presentation at “Educators Stand for Climate Justice and a Just Transition” held in May 2023 at Lautoka, Fiji.

Adapted from Toka Toka’s presentation at the “Educators Stand for Climate Justice and a Just Transition” held in May 2023 at Lautoka, Fiji.

Adapted from Mr. Hayes’ presentation at the ‘Educators Stand for Climate Justice and a Just Transition’ held in May 2023 at Lautoka, Fiji.

Adapted from Ms. Momoe’s speech at the ‘Educators Stand for Climate Justice and a Just Transition’ conference in May 2023 at Lautoka, Fiji.