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 generation that will lose the most if it is not addressed now. 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.
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.
Union Year of Climate Action
TUC Congress 2024 conference has passed a motion asking all Trades Councils to coordinate and organise networks and actions in their area during the year of action. The aim is to deepen an understanding of the climate and nature crisis as a trade union issue. The NEU passed a motion at the Annual Conference 2025 endorsing the cross-TUC year of climate action. The NEU will be running a series of joint union webinars in the new year, details to follow. Please check this page for regular updates.
Following the TUC motion, we have the following events taking place:
- Unions’ Climate and Nature Festival – this will take place on 14 March 2026 at Regent High School, The Medburn Centre, 136 Chalton St, London NW1 1RX. This is a joint union climate conference to discuss the role and contributions of trade unions in a just transition, climate change education, and sustainability.
- Training to be run by the Ministry of Eco Education, OASES and the company TerraLigo in June 2026 for a 2-day residential CPD with a focus on ecocentric pedagogy - click for tickets
- Resources, case studies and information on climate action events can be accessed at: Year of Trade Union Climate Action Hub
- 15 November, 14h-16h CET: Teachers’ COP (an international event for teachers organised by the Office for Climate Education, VVOB and Nova Escola) – register here
- Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group – access resources and information on different activities to build a trade union year of climate action.
