World Bank Report: “The Impact of Climate Change on Education”

The World Bank's report highlights the profound effects of climate change on education, emphasizing how extreme weather events disrupt schooling, lead to learning losses, and increase dropout rates.

Key Findings

• Neglect of Education in Climate Policy:
• Education has received minimal attention in climate policies. In 2020, it constituted less than 1.3% of climate assistance and was referenced in fewer than one in three Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) plans.
• Impact of School Closures:
• Between 2005 and 2024, schools were closed during at least 75% of extreme weather events, affecting over 5 million people.
• Over 99% of children globally are exposed to at least one major climate-related hazard.
• Effects of Rising Temperatures:
• An increase of just 1°C in outdoor temperature on exam days can significantly reduce test scores. For instance, students in the hottest 10% of Brazilian municipalities experienced a loss of about 1% of learning per year due to heat exposure.
• Food Insecurity and Economic Fragility:
• Climate change could put up to 170 million people at risk of hunger by 2080, jeopardizing school enrollment and student learning.
• Disproportionate Effects on Girls:
• Climate-related events can prevent at least 4 million girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries from completing their education.

Approaches to Adapt Education Systems

• Education Management for Climate Resilience:
• Invest in early warning systems. For example, the InaRISK mobile app in Indonesia enhances disaster preparedness knowledge among students and staff.
• Climate-Resilient School Infrastructure:
• Strengthen existing school buildings to withstand climate impacts. Rwanda's project includes equipping schools with retaining walls to prevent flood-related landslides.
• Manage classroom temperatures through initiatives like Kenya's Green Economy Strategy, which promotes bioclimatic designs for enhanced comfort.
• Ensuring Learning Continuity During Climate Shocks:
• Maintain school operations as much as possible and bolster remote learning mechanisms. For example, Ghana's back-to-school campaign led to nearly 100% re-enrollment after COVID-19 disruptions.

Conclusion

The World Bank's report underscores the urgent need to integrate education into climate policy and enhance the resilience of educational systems. By addressing these challenges, we can safeguard learning opportunities and promote sustainable development in the face of climate change.