Calling on the Global Environmental Facility CEO, GEF Member Countries, and GEF Agencies to support formation of a new Focal Area for GEF Projects for Climate Education at the upcoming GEF Seventh Assembly in Vancouver, Canada.
Dear GEF CEO Mr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF Member Countries, and GEF Agencies,
We, the undersigned organizations, representing youth and the civil society, respectfully ask you to invest in climate and environmental education projects as part of the Global Environmental Facility.
We believe that climate education and skills-building develop climate literacy, which is critical for accelerating the growth of the green economy globally. Specifically, we believe that climate literacy is crucial for shaping a green workforce and developing innovative climate solutions, both of which are imperative elements for meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. Climate education should be championed as a fundamental pillar in our fight to address the climate crisis.
At the moment, there are 5,890 GEF Projects registered on the GEF official website.
It is appalling that none of these projects are related to climate literacy and also not included among GEF's priorities or in the GEF Projects Focal Areas. In none of the titles of the GEF Funded Projects are the words climate education or education included. The word knowledge is only included three times and the word learning is only included once in the titles of the
GEF funded Projects.
The upcoming Seventh Assembly of the GEF gives us the opportunity to encourage GEF Leadership to invest in climate education. We are asking you to support and speak in favor of the establishment of climate education as a new and separate Focal Area for GEF Projects that will receive a funding of at least $50 million to amplify projects that will lead to more climate-conscious societies worldwide.
As the undersigned organizations, many of whom will be present at the Seventh GEF Assembly in Vancouver, we are ready to collaborate with the GEF Leadership, GEF Member Countries and GEF Agencies to continue a dialogue about our proposal and further discuss the investment in education by the Global Environmental Facility and its members.
In addition, we strongly believe that investing in climate education will not only generate long-term environmental benefits, but also strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities to the impacts of climate change. By empowering young people with knowledge and skills to face environmental challenges, we will be building a society more prepared and able to adopt sustainable practices as well as lead biodiversity and climate projects.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” - in living memory of President Mandela's words, let’s use climate education as one of the solutions for dealing with the climate and biodiversity crisis. Let’s unite, mobilize and equip people with the right tools for the just, green transition and effective biodiversity conservation.
Yours sincerely,
The undersigned organizations,
Organizations that have signed:
ClimateScience
SOS-UK
EcoHouse
Climate Action Project
EARTHDAY.ORG
Fridays For Future Climate Education Team
Toronto Zoo
Global Youth Biodiversity Network
Climate Education Coalition