Education plays a key role in the transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society. While many initiatives have so far relied on individual enthusiasm, practice shows that real transformation requires systemic change across European education systems. Annual report Coalitions for Climate Education 2025 brings important findings and recommendations on how to transform traditional education into a driving force for climate action.

To achieve this systemic change, education experts and stakeholders propose the following key measures:

1. Implementing a „whole-school approach“ and transforming schools into living laboratories

Sustainability education must go beyond the traditional boundaries of the classroom and become part of the everyday running of the school. Schools should become so-called „"living laboratories for sustainability"“, where both the physical and social environment are transformed into a space for practical learning. This approach includes involving students in real-world resource and energy management, greening schoolyards, and implementing student environmental projects, making schools role models for their wider community.

2. Interdisciplinary integration of sustainability (GreenComp and STE(A)M)

Teaching subjects separately is no longer enough. Sustainability education is most effective when subjects are combined. A system requirement is integrating the European Competence Framework for Sustainability (GreenComp) into teaching, especially through the intersection of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STE(A)M). Through this approach, students acquire key competencies such as systems thinking, understanding complex problems and the ability to co-design solutions. For example, art helps build an emotional connection with nature, while engineering brings real-world solutions from local materials.

3. Removing structural barriers and supporting teachers

Teachers are key multipliers of climate action, but without system support they face obstacles. Systemic change requires targeted teacher training, support from school management and, above all, flexible curricula. Educational institutions must purposefully overcome structural constraints such as rigid schedules and unequal access to resources.

4. Applying a whole-of-society approach and partnerships

Solving the climate crisis requires a "whole-of-society approach" that moves education beyond the school gates. Local actors – schools, municipalities, NGOs and families – must work together on building climate resilience from the ground up. Systems should create strong partnerships with local communities and connect modern ecological knowledge with traditional ecological knowledge, ensuring intercultural and intergenerational dialogue.

5. Strengthening the voice of young people and inclusive decision-making

Students and young people should not be just passive recipients of information, but active creators of climate solutions. A fundamental systemic recommendation is support inclusive decision-making in learning communities, so that diverse groups (including youth) can actively shape educational practices.

6. Building preparedness and emotional intelligence

In line with the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, climate education must prepare current and future generations to anticipate, respond to and recover from climate challenges. This requires: educational systems have evolved towards prioritizing emotional intelligence and adaptability, equipping students with the skills needed to manage uncertainty.

The recommendations make it clear that integrating climate education into schools is not just about adding a new chapter to science textbooks. It is about a profound transformation of the way educational institutions operate, how teachers are trained, and how schools connect with their communities. Only by overcoming today’s structural limitations and creating a collaborative interdisciplinary ecosystem can we raise a generation of citizens capable of navigating and leading society towards sustainability. JRi&CO2AI