The UN Conference of the Parties (COP) is meeting in Antalya, Turkey, for the 31st time to discuss global progress on environmental and climate issues. This year, education will be on the agenda on November 14.
Below are key events where GPE will participate, in addition to numerous bilateral meetings with country partners, climate funds, education stakeholders and UNFCCC bodies.
To confirm time and locations, please see the COP31 schedule of events.
Friday, November 13
Annual meeting of the Greening Education Partnership
The Greening Education Partnership (GEP) is organizing its 4th Annual Meeting in Antalya leveraging the political momentum COP31 generates to elevate the role of education in climate action, including this year through the Action Agenda pillar on Youth and Education.
The meeting will unfold in three connected moments: the Working Group meeting, a High-Level Ministerial meeting, and an End-of-year Plenary session.
GPE facilitates and co-chairs the working group on Greening Teacher Capacity and Education Systems, alongside Education International and UNICEF.
The Working Group meeting will review the critical role of teachers in greening education and explore moving from policy to implementation, gathering members' inputs on the challenges and opportunities of integrating climate change in teacher training.
The session will highlight the new toolkit for policy makers on how to support teachers in a changing climate.
Saturday, November 14
High-level ministerial opening session on climate and education
On COP31’s Children, Youth, Education and Skills Day, the COP31 Presidency and the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) co-host a High-Level Ministerial Meeting, co-organized by the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye, UNESCO and the OECD.
The opening session will focus on country experiences in climate-friendly schools and teacher training, highlighting the role of teachers.
The afternoon session will explore climate literacy as a measurable learning outcome, including in relation to PISA 2029, and launch the GEP Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group.
GPE will participate as a member of the GEP Advisory Group, supporting ministerial speakers from a number of GPE partner countries.
Climate changes the classroom: Building education systems that can withstand, adapt and lead
A COP31 side event hosted at the OPEC Fund Pavilion, exploring both how climate change threatens education systems and how education can drive adaptation, resilience and a just transition.
The discussion will highlight practical approaches to climate-resilient education, financing and investment gaps, climate skills for young people, and the role of international partnerships in taking solutions to scale.
GPE will participate in a panel discussion on strengthening climate-resilient education systems and mobilizing greater investment, alongside the OPEC Fund, Education Above All/Qatar Fund and ICESCO.
Financing climate-resilient education: Addressing climate change impacts and investing in the future of learning
This COP31 side event focuses on elevating education within climate finance discussions and identifying practical investments and partnerships to strengthen climate-resilient education systems, particularly in Nepal and other climate-vulnerable contexts.
The discussion will examine barriers to accessing climate finance and opportunities to invest in resilient school infrastructure, early warning systems, learning continuity, green skills, disaster preparedness and psychosocial support.
GPE will share strategies to help close the climate-financing gap for education, alongside national authorities and other climate funds and partners.