Page 54 - EW March 2025

Teacher-2-Teacher

Embed net zero education

in K-12 curricula

P. GOPALAKRISHNAN

NDIA’S COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING NET-ZERO Net-zero education necessitates
carbon emissions targets by 2070 is a significant mile-
stone towards addressing climate change. However, weaving environmental sustainability
Ireliance upon industry and technology shifts won’t be into K-12 curricula. However, climate
enough. We also require a new generation of environmen-
tally conscious citizens to serve as catalysts in making the literacy is noticeably absent as a core
national transition to a net zero world. This can only happen subject in mainstream education
through education transformation. India urgently needs to
integrate net-zero principles into the education system to
empower youth to create sustainable change in all sectors vesting units, and energy monitoring tools, students can
of the economy. deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship
Net-zero education necessitates weaving environmen- and develop practical skills to prepare for green careers.
tal awareness and sustainability into K-12 curricula. The Such experiential learning complements theoretical educa-
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends this tion to prepare a generation well-versed in sustainability
should be done through experiential and skill-based learn- principles.
ing. However, despite the NEP mandate, climate literacy is Some education institutions in India provide good mod-
noticeably absent as a core subject in mainstream educa- els. Among them: Amity University, Haryana’s entire cam-
tion. Therefore, there is urgent need for focused interven- pus is a leader in operations and maintenance and equipped
tions to cultivate a young generation well-versed in the nu- with a LEED certified laboratory providing students theo-
ances of environmental challenges and solutions. retical and practical knowledge on green building construc-
A 2022 Unesco report indicated that 27 percent of re- tion and practices. Similarly, Nitte Institute of Architec-
spondents worldwide cannot explain climate change, show- ture, Mangaluru, which has signed up for a programme for
casing urgent need for reorientation of education systems higher education institutions. Ditto, Vivekananda Educa-
globally. We can look towards Finland, where sustainability tion Society, Mumbai and SRM University, Chennai.
is included in all tiers of education, and adapt its practices f the net-zero campus model is also followed by schools
to our socio-economic realities. Finland’s approach is to Iand colleges across India, the 2070 net-zero emissions tar-
ensure all students are equipped with knowledge and skills get is certain to be achieved. With over 1.5 million schools,
to address environmental challenges aligned with that tiny 45,000 colleges and 1,193 universities in the country, this
country’s (pop.5 million) socio-economic context. A scaled approach can significantly influence community behaviour
up version of Finland’s education system adapted to In- and resolve India’s pollution crisis.
dia’s diverse education and cultural ecosystem offers a basic Inevitably, scaling net-zero education initiatives require
model. robust policy and fiscal support. Union Budget 2024-25 al-
On the practical front, it’s important to note that the located Rs.3,330.37 crore ($400 million) for climate action,
transition to a green economy offers numerous opportu- a portion of which should be allocated for sustainability
nities for employment in the fields of renewable energy, education. Recommended action to achieve this includes
sustainable construction, and waste management. By 2070, introducing the Green Skill Development Programme
more than 50 million green jobs are expected to be avail- (GSDP) for primary and secondary education and subsidi-
able in India. The Green Skills Development Programme sation of schools adopting renewable energy solutions and
(GSDP) introduced by the Union ministry of Environment, green infrastructure. Moreover private-public partnerships
Forest, and Climate Change, is likely to play a pivotal role could address resource gaps.
in preparing students for these emerging opportunities. It Integrating net-zero principles into education at all lev-
focuses on equipping individuals with specialised skills in els represents a significant economic opportunity for India.
areas such as solar panel installation, green building design, By embedding sustainability goals into curricula, creating
and sustainable urban planning, skills that are integral to net-zero campuses, and encouraging community engage-
India’s net-zero and sustainability goals. ment, India can prepare its youth for transition towards a
The first option available to education leaders to contrib- green economy. This necessitates coordinated efforts from
ute towards the all-important net-zero carbon emissions educators, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders.
target, is to lead by example and establish net-zero cam- With right strategies and investments, education can serve
puses. These eco-systems are designed to reduce carbon as the cornerstone of India’s progress towards achieving its
footprints through developing renewable energy sources, net-zero objectives while simultaneously generating mil-
constructing energy-efficient buildings, and designing en- lions of jobs.
vironment-friendly management systems. (P. GopalaKrishnan is managing director, Southeast Asia and Middle East,
By learning how to manage solar panels, rainwater har- of Green Business Certification Inc, USA)

54 EDUCATIONWORLD MARCH 2025