How to Develop a Climate Change Learning Strategy

25 February 2014, Geneva, Switzerland - More than 50 countries have expressed interest in developing a national climate change learning strategy. In response to this demand the UN CC:Learn Secretariat has released a Guidance Note which provides methodological and organizational suggestions for developing such a strategy. The Guidance Note also responds to the UNFCCC Doha Work Programme which mandates States to prepare a national strategy on Article 6 of the Convention (dealing with climate change education, training and public awareness-raising).
The Note is the product of a three year pilot phase, including five national UN CC:Learn projects to “Strengthen Human Resource Capacities and Skills to Address Climate Change”. The five pilot countries are Benin, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Malawi, andUganda. The Note has been developed with valuable input from members of the UN CC:Learn Steering Group and discussions at several international and regional meetings.
In the foreword of the Guidance Note Ms. Sally Fegan-Wyles, UN-Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director, UNITAR notes: "It is my hope that the guidance will help to inspire systematic action on climate change learning in many other countries, and that those countries will share their experiences with yet other countries."
Potential users of the Guidance Note include:
-Decision-makers in government interested in understanding the process and benefits of developing a National Climate Change Learning Strategy;
-Technical staff in Ministries or other institutions responsible for organizing the process of developing a National Climate Change Learning Strategy;
-Representatives of education and training institutions and non-governmental organizations involved in the development and implementation of a National Climate Change Learning Strategy;
-Representatives of the private sector (e.g. employers’ organizations and trade unions);
-Interested citizens.
The Guidance Note can be downloaded for free here.
About UN CC:Learn
UN CC:Learn is a partnership of 33 multilateral organizations which supports Member States in designing and implementing results-oriented and sustainable learning to address climate change. The Secretariat for UN CC:Learn is provided by UNITAR. An important aspect of UN CC:Learn is to support countries develop a National Strategy to Strengthen Human Resources and Skills to Advance Green, Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development through a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder process. During the course of 2012-2013, Benin, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Malawi, and Uganda are participating as UN CC:Learn pilot countries. Core funding for the 2011-2013 implementation phase of UN CC:Learn is provided by the Swiss Government.