Report is mandated by UNESCO’s ‘Education 2030 Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action’ for monitoring and reporting on SDG 4 (Quality education) and in the other SDGs'.

Key findings 

• Disruption of Education Systems: Over the past 20 years, schools were closed in at least 75% of the extreme weather events, impacting 5 million people or more.
• India Related: A study in India found that rainfall shocks in the first 15 years of life negatively affected vocabulary at age five and mathematics & non-cognitive skills at age 15. 
• Education’s Role: Its role in combating climate change is not given the space it deserves in international agendas. 
  • SDG 4 was addressed in only 2 of 72 transnational climate initiatives.

Impact of climate change on education 

• Infrastructure & life: Direct effects include the destruction of education infrastructure as well as injuries and loss of life among students, parents and school staff.
• Displacement: Indirect effects include displacement of people and the effects on people’s livelihoods and health.
• Climate-induced education vulnerability: It is worse for marginalized populations and low-or lower-middle-income countries.
• Educational Outcomes: Exposure to heat has significant detrimental effects on children’s educational outcomes like reducing test performance etc.