Climate change education for social transformation: Greening communities
Following the success of the first webinar series on greening education policies and curriculum on the road to COP27, the second series on greening schools on the road to COP28, and the third series on greening teacher training and education systems’ capacities on the road to COP29, UNESCO and UNFCCC are launching a fourth series of six conversations on climate change education for social transformation, from May to December 2025, on greening communities on the road to COP 30 in Belém, Brazil.
These conversations will explore the role of communities in advancing climate action through diverse learning spaces beyond formal education systems, from a lifelong learning perspective. Building on previous discussions on greening schools, curricula, and teacher training, this series will examine how lifelong learning, non-formal education, TVET, awareness-raising campaigns and local governance may contribute to sustainable and climate-resilient communities. Special attention will be given to the experiences of Indigenous peoples, young change agents, subnational governments, and in fostering community-led solutions. The webinars feed into the , an initiative launched by UNFCCC and the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022 to foster education and public awareness, training, public access to information and participation in climate action.
The webinars are conducted in English. Live interpretation in French and Spanish will be provided.
Participate
#1 - What does greening communities mean, and how does it connect to greening schools, curricula, and teacher training?
20 May 2025, 10:00 CEST
This webinar will explore how a “green community” might be defined in diverse contexts across the globe and what it means to build one through a lifelong learning approach. It will consider who might be involved in efforts to green communities and introduce key action areas through unpacking a series of practical cases. The session will identify some of the main challenges that may be faced when building greener communities through learning opportunities. It will consider the relevance of local strategies for promoting climate change education and the efficacy of multi-stakeholder efforts in making these a reality. In recognition of the Green School Quality Standard and Greening Curriculum Guidance, it will also explore how work underway to green schools, curricula and teacher training may be integrated into a whole-community approach to greening education.
The session will address two guiding questions:
- What is a “green community” and what key challenges may be faced when building one?
- How can multi-stakeholder efforts to green communities connect to work underway to green schools, curricula and teacher training?
#2 - What innovative approaches can educational and cultural institutions adopt to nurture greener communities?
24 June 2025, 10:00 CEST
This session will zoom in on how diverse educational and cultural institutions targeting learners of all ages - from early childhood education centres and universities to community learning centres and libraries - can help to build greener communities through adopting innovative tools and practices. It will place a special emphasis on the use of digital tools encompassing virtual reality, online resource centres and gamification strategies to build climate-resilient, regenerative societies, in the framework of a whole-community approach. It will also dive into creative ways physical learning spaces may be used to foster climate learning through cutting-edge approaches related to living labs, for instance. Importantly, the second webinar of this series will unpack key challenges that might arise when making use of innovative tools and methods, ranging from low levels of digital literacy to reaching traditionally underrepresented learner groups. It will then examine how these might be overcome by drawing on effective practices and the importance of partnerships.
The session will address two guiding questions:
- What innovative approaches/tools can educational and cultural institutions adopt to green their communities?
- What challenges may be faced and how might these be overcome?
#3 - How can non-formal and informal learning be harnessed to foster green skills for work and life at the local level?
29 July 2025, 10:00 CEST
The third webinar of this series will zoom in on how non-formal and informal learning opportunities can be harnessed to foster green skills for work and life in local communities. The role of lifelong learning in fostering green skills for more sustainable local economies will be examined, in light of key challenges linked to the twin transition. The use of non-formal and informal learning possibilities in promoting more sustainable lifestyles will also be considered, as inspiring cases are shared. Special attention will be paid to the utility of collaborative efforts and holistic local climate learning strategies in making green skills development a reality for communities.
The session will address two guiding questions:
- In light of key challenges, how can non-formal and informal learning be harnessed to promote green skills development for more sustainable local economies?
- In light of key challenges, how can non-formal and informal learning be harnessed to foster more sustainable lifestyles in local communities?
#4 - How can change agents, including youth and indigenous communities, be supported in their efforts to build greener communities?
2 September 2025, 10:00 CEST
The fourth webinar of this series will consider the crucial role of change agents in nurturing greener communities through a lifelong learning approach that counts on close collaboration between key stakeholders. It will explore how agents for change can both benefit from and help to promote lifelong learning for climate action at the local level, in the framework of local climate learning strategies. In light of common challenges ranging from tokenism to resource mobilization, it will place a special focus on the role of youth and members of indigenous communities, exploring how change agents can be best supported in their efforts to advance sustainable climate action. Importantly, it will consider the value of participatory approaches where the development of local climate change education strategies is concerned, through promoting spaces for change agents to share expertise and experiences linked to diverse knowledge systems.
The session will address two guiding questions:
- What roles can change agents including youth and indigenous peoples play in greening communities through lifelong learning?
- What steps can be taken to support change agents in their efforts to green communities, in light of common challenges?
#5 - Getting ready to promote greener communities at COP 30
21 October 2025, 10:00 CEST
The fifth webinar of this series will provide a space to explore key messages and strategies to promote greener communities, particularly around COP 30 in Belém, Brazil. In doing so, it will consider the importance of climate advocacy and how this may be advanced where the area of greening communities is concerned.
The webinar will address two guiding questions:
- What needs and gaps related to greening communities should be advocated for during COP 30?
- What solutions related to greening communities can be encouraged through COP 30?
#6 - What’s next for greening communities?
2 December 2025, 10:00 CET
The final webinar of this series will close Season 4 by looking back at COP 30 and its key takeaways related to greening communities. It will unpack possible ways forward for promoting climate change education for social transformation through whole-community approaches.
The session will address two guiding questions:
- What were the main takeaways related to greening communities from COP 30?
- Following COP 30’s main outcomes and in light of key challenges, what concrete steps should now be taken to green communities worldwide?
