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UNESCO highlights education as key to climate action, supporting 97 countries and more than 1,900 organizations through the GEP initiative to transform education systems to become engines of sustainability and resilience.
Image Source: UNESCO
In Qatar, the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) initiative is implemented through the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and Earthna Center for Sustainable Future-Qatar Foundation, supporting over 80 registered eco-schools, including 21 green flag-awarded schools. In collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Associated Schools Network, schools are integrating sustainability into teaching, operations, and community engagement through a whole-school approach. These initiatives not only lower environmental impact but also empower students to act as change agents in their communities.
Two notable local examples of this transformation are the Greenhouse Cafe and the Munch Machine. Students at Qatar Academy Sidra Primary developed the Greenhouse Cafe as part of the FEE Eco-Schools Programme, integrating sustainability, healthy living, and creativity. This student-driven initiative encourages leadership and environmental awareness by involving learners in workshops and real-world applications. The project involves teachers, parents, and local partners, fostering community dialogue on food waste and responsible consumption, and environmental stewardship, demonstrating the power of collaboration and shared responsibility.
Similarly, at Doha British School Ain Khaled, students introduced the Munch Machine, a recycling vending machine designed to make sustainability tangible, interactive, and fun. It promotes sustainability by rewarding students with house points for recycling plastic bottles and cans. This initiative bridges environmental learning with everyday behavior change. It fosters collaboration among teachers and students to track progress and raise awareness, illustrating how simple innovations can lead to long-term behavior change and enhance youth leadership in waste reduction efforts.
Together, these initiatives exemplify how schools in Qatar are advancing broader sustainability objectives while aligning with UNESCO’s Green School quality standard. They underscore the critical role of education in addressing climate change, supported by UNESCO’s guidance and continued promotion of innovative, school-based practices.
Reference:
UNESCO (11 November 2025). Greening education in Qatar: Inspiring practices driving climate action through schools. Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/greening-education-qatar-inspiring-practices-driving-climate-action-through-schools
