The climate crisis is no longer a distant concept. It is a defining feature of the world our students are growing up in. From polluted air to rising temperatures, environmental degradation has become a lived reality. Yet amid these challenges, one of our most powerful tools for change is often overlooked. Education allows us to shape not only knowledge but also mindsets, values and the sense of responsibility needed to protect our planet, writes Tale Heydarov.
Across the world, there is growing recognition climate change education must become a central part of learning. A UNESCO study of more than 1,500 curriculum documents from over 90 countries shows that while environmental themes are often mentioned, meaningful references to climate change and sustainability remain limited. This suggests that although young people may hear about the environment, far fewer are given the understanding or opportunities to act on the causes and consequences of the climate crisis.
Momentum is building internationally to make climate education a core element of teaching at every level. Governments, universities and organizations are rethinking how education systems can respond to the environmental challenges of our time. In 2023, the UK, for example, introduced a national strategy that embeds sustainability throughout its schools.
Education shapes every stage of a young person’s development and their potential to lead on climate action. In primary school, it sparks curiosity, creativity and a connection to the natural world. In secondary school, it deepens civic responsibility and builds awareness of how climate change affects communities. By the time they reach higher education, students are ready to become the innovators, engineers and policymakers who drive real change.
For instance, the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, which includes leading institutions such as Oxford, Tsinghua and the London School of Economics, shows how universities can become hubs of climate research, innovation and collaboration. But for that potential to be fully realised, students must arrive already engaged, informed and inspired. That journey begins in families, communities and schools, where curiosity first meets conscience.
This belief lies at the heart of EcoMIND 2025, a conference organised by the IDEA Campaign in collaboration with the European Azerbaijan School. It brings together educators, students, parents and activists to rethink how education and environmental responsibility intersect. EcoMIND encourages us to see sustainability not as a subject to be studied, but as a mindset that shapes how we live, learn and lead. The conference aims to turn awareness into action by closing the gap between what we know and what we do.
For Azerbaijan, this conversation could not be more timely. As the nation looks towards a future less dependent on oil and more focused on innovation, renewable energy and sustainable development, climate change education must become a foundation for progress.
The transition to a low-carbon economy demands not only new technologies but a generation of thinkers and doers who understand the wellbeing of the planet is inseparable from the prosperity of society. Achieving this requires empowering teachers, supporting schools and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, can build a meaningful understanding of environmental responsibility.
Education has always been about preparing students for the world they will inherit. Today, that means preparing them for a world shaped by climate realities. As leaders and educators, we have a responsibility not only to support but to inspire and encourage those we teach and those we work with to achieve more than they thought possible.
