A Whole Institution Approach to Climate Change Education

Abstract

Few studies have investigated a “whole institution” approach in relation to climate change education (CCE), despite its importance in achieving a culture of sustainability and climate action. Responding to this imperative, UNESCO launched a “Getting Cli-mate-Ready” pilot project across 25 countries through their Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). This pilot project integrated climate action into the domains of teaching and learning, facilities and operations, community partnerships, and school governance. In Canada, 10 primary and secondary schools participated under the direction of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN) evaluated CCE engagement in these 10 pilot schools as well as in 17 non-pilot ASPnet schools across Canada. This chapter documents the promising climate action practices identified through this evaluation. Insights for increased climate action at school, school division, and ministry of education levels are also included from a recently developed CCE primer. The chapter provides entry points for transforming education systems through a cross-site comparative analysis of a whole institution approach to CCE across Canada.