Education Cannot Wait Releases First Greening Statement

The global climate crisis is acutely affecting children’s access to quality education, especially for those living in emergencies and protracted crises. Of the more than 224 million crisis-affected girls and boys in need of urgent education support today, 62 million are affected by climate hazards. 

Recognizing the immense impact of the climate crisis on the children and youth that Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and strategic partners serve, ECW has made climate a priority area in its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. ECW is also making a commitment to limit the environmental impact of its operations through both individual and collective efforts to change and challenge its ways of working, outlined in the new ECW Greening Statement. 

The Greening Statement lays out the Secretariat’s pledge to minimize its environmental footprint and is aligned with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change standards and targets. This commitment includes exploring ways to set organizational emission reduction targets in line with global climate agreements, demonstrating a concerted effort to combat climate change through operational adjustments.

The Statement sets forth clear principles and commitments for ECW, emphasizing the importance of environmental responsibility. Key areas of focus include promoting environmentally friendly travel options, reducing office energy consumption, and enabling behavioral changes to reduce the overall environmental footprint. 

By embedding these practices into its operations and monitoring progress, ECW aims to balance the delivery of its mission to reach those left furthest behind with quality education with its commitment to sustainability. 

Download the Statement here.

Read more about ECW’s focus on the climate crisis.