Climate change

Climate change is real and is threatening our future. An enriching, thriving education system cannot exist in a world without a stable climate. Flooding and extreme temperatures have become far more frequent throughout the world, and it is our young generations that will lose the most if it is not addressed now.

Climate and Nature Bill

NEU statement on a missed opportunity to rise to the challenge of the climate and nature crisis.

Read here

As educators, it is paramount that we enable children to understand the climate crisis and equip them with the skills and knowledge to build a more sustainable future.

In April 2022, the DfE began implementing its Climate Change Strategy, which can be accessed here.

We are campaigning for a “just transition” to a greener economy, so changes needed to combat and mitigate against climate change are managed in a way that protects all.

A just transition would mean protections against working in extreme temperatures in heatwaves and safely removing asbestos as part of the process of retrofitting schools to make them more climate resilient and energy efficient.

TUC – Climate Emergency: Winning a Just Transition calls for timely, worker-friendly climate action to protect the planet and future-proof obs. Schools built for the future have major construction and education unions making sure the UK’s school buildings are fit for the future and energy efficient.

COP29

COP is an opportunity for global leaders, policymakers, and civil society to meet to address this pressing issue and agree on actions to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5°C.

Jenny Cooper (Member of the NEU National Executive Committee) travelled as an ITUC delegate to COP29. Jenny also represented the Education International (EI), and the Global Union Federation representing 32.5 million trade union members in 384 organisations in 178 countries and territories.

Jenny attended events involving children and youth from around the world to hear their voices on the change they would like to see. As a teacher and a union representative, she played her role at COP29 to press the case for better climate change education across the world, for COP29 to reach agreements to protect schools across the globe from climate change and extreme weather events and to emphasise the importance of keeping workers at the heart of a transition from fossil fuels.

Jenny’s blog on activities and decisions made at COP29 can be accessed at faircop

Jenny’s blog on COP29 for younger children can be accessed at COP 4 KIDZ – faircop

Please note the following resources by Education International that will empower our members to take action:

Urge your government to enact the policy roadmap outlined in the EI Manifesto on Quality Climate Change Education for All. Demand that adequate funding is allocated to ensure successful implementation.
Teach for the Planet campaign: calling on all governments to make climate change education a priority for all.

Get involved

The NEU Climate Network organises members keen on developing and implementing union policy and action to resist climate breakdown. It meets once every half term and has regular mailings.

Green reps and environmental officers

The above roles have been agreed at the NEU Annual Conference in 2022. Their purpose is to empower NEU members to address climate and environmental issues at their place of work and district. Please see the link for information on Green Reps and Environmental Officers training Events | NEU

Joint Union heatwave protocol

Increases in extreme weather are becoming more and more common. Read the joint unions' heatwave protocol advice. This protocol aims to help employers work together with union reps to prepare for future heatwaves, ensuring the health, safety and welfare of staff and pupils and to minimise learning disruption.