GPE welcomes a pledge of over US$3 million from Japan to support climate-resilient learning in Africa

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) welcomed a pledge of more than $3 million from Japan to help cyclone-impacted children in Mozambique return to school and to increase education’s resilience to climate change in sub-Saharan Africa.

Climate change is already threatening children’s right to education. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase across the world, nearly one billion girls and boys—roughly half the planet’s children— live in countries that are at an extremely high risk of the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, cyclones, and floods.

On February 24 and March 11, 2023, Cyclone Freddy, the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record, hit Mozambique twice, wreaking havoc on the lives of almost 1.2 million Mozambicans, and disrupting education for thousands of children.

At COP28, Japan signed the Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change and became one of its founding members. This declaration is the first global acknowledgment of the critical link between education and climate action as a foundation for a resilient and sustainable future for all children.

“GPE is delighted to have Japan as its first donor country supporting its efforts to increase recognition of the link between climate change and education. It is indeed time we recognized that while education is vulnerable to climate-related shocks, it also plays a crucial role in teaching children about climate risks and prevention measures,” said Laura Frigenti, GPE Chief Executive Officer. “With Japan’s continued support, we will pursue our quest to provide children with the quality education that unlocks their potential to contribute to a safer and greener planet.”

Apart from ensuring continued access to learning for children affected by Cyclone Freddy, Japan’s generous grant will also contribute to GPE’s Climate Smart Education Initiative. Through this initiative, GPE seeks to enhance countries’ capacities to mainstream climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability into their education sector plans, budgets, and strategies.

With this grant, GPE will support education ministries across sub-Saharan Africa to use climate data to inform planning and policy, improve school safety mechanisms and infrastructure, support access to climate finance for adaptation, and integrate climate into school curricula.