Reflections from COP29
On 18 November 2024, Carol Switzer, author of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) study "Integrating Green Skills into Education and Research", had the honour of speaking at the COP29 panel, "Towards Climate-Smart University Curricula in the Mediterranean."
Image design by Edwin Titus
The session, hosted by the Union for the Mediterranean at their Mediterranean Pavilion in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together regional voices in education and climate action. Paeradigms continues to contribute to strengthening the role of climate-smart education in shaping a sustainable future.
This panel highlighted the increasing relevance of integrating green skills into educational frameworks and pointed out the importance of the role of education and research in the Mediterranean region. Carol expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a discussion with stakeholders from across the Euro-Mediterranean region. She remarked, "This platform allows us not only to share insights from our research but also to collectively envision how education can drive climate resilience in one of the world's most vulnerable regions."
The Mediterranean Challenge
With almost half of the Mediterranean population under the age of 30, the potential of young people to lead climate-sensitive and nature-positive transformations is immense. However, realising this potential requires systemic changes in the education sector. The COP29 session aimed to address precisely these issues by bringing universities together to exchange best practices and solutions for adapting curricula to the realities of a changing climate.
Paeradigms' contribution to the panel drew upon their research and findings from two workshops held during 2024 hosted by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) in Algeria. Carol stressed that the role of education is not just to inform but to empower. "The curricula must provide the tools for young people to imagine, innovate, and implement solutions," she emphasised.
Key recommendations from Paeradigms' study
The focus of this recent research was to tap into the existing expertise, provide a forum to exchange knowledge, and share experiences and resources among academics in the Mediterranean region. Findings are synthesised in the publication, download it here.
The publication outlines the background that underpinned the workshops and summarises the outputs generated from the workshops. Recommendations to higher education and research institutes for advancing climate-smart education in the region include:
(1) Strengthen Strategic Foresight
The world is changing fast, and educational institutions need to adapt to keep up. Competition for research funding and resources, as well as attracting top students, is becoming increasingly fierce. To succeed, universities must adopt a forward-looking approach. Traditionally, many institutions have operated with an inward focus, prioritising their immediate needs and internal processes. This must change. Universities should look outward at global trends and develop an understanding of how these changes can affect their institutions and graduates' employability.
(2) Anticipate future skills
Anticipating the skills of the future is essential – not only for survival but also for staying relevant. Universities face pressures from new government policies and labour market demands. To respond, universities need to work more closely with policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders. Sustainability should be integrated into core activities – into teaching, research, and operations. This holistic approach will maintain legitimacy and produce graduates who are ready for the future, graduates who will lead the way in creating a more sustainable world.
(3) Green your own organisation
Universities have complex structures. Departments often operate independently, and these silos limit communication. Despite this, universities play a key role in advancing green skills and research. To meet the demands of the future, universities must embrace an internally unified organisation. Universities need to take a more strategic approach and communicate across the organisation. Sustainability should guide every decision made. This means staying at the forefront of green innovation and education. This approach will use all the resources and tools available – the cost of inaction far outweighs the investment needed today. Leading by example, universities can inspire students, staff, and partners and demonstrate how sustainable principles can be applied to large-scale organisations.
Looking Forward: Education as the Cornerstone of Climate Resilience
The session wrapped up with actionable recommendations, and the panel's message resonated strongly: education is the cornerstone of a climate-resilient future. By equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and values to lead change, the Mediterranean can become a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
COP29 provided an occasion to inspire solutions for the global climate crisis through the UfM panel on the transformative power of education. The insights shared at this panel reaffirm the need for climate-smart university curricula, ensuring the next generation is prepared to lead with wisdom and innovation.
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