Commenting on the passing of Motion 19 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"We have reached the tipping point of climate crisis; our future and that of younger generations is being threatened. Extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures, wild-fires, floods and storms, have become frequent occurrences globally and are leading to ‘an uncharted territory of destruction’ according to the UN’s latest climate report.
"The commitment to sustainability, net zero and a just transition, require fundamental changes to our actions, starting with the education of our youth. Sustainability education must be embedded throughout the whole curriculum to ensure that young people are equipped and empowered to bring on the change that is needed.
"We urge the Government to listen to the voices of young people and their educators, to retrofit the whole school estate by 2030, provide safety protection against extreme weather, bring on reforms through just transition and stop new oil and gas exploration to ensure a healthy future for all."
END
2023-058-NEU