As the world prepares for COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, the 18 UWC schools and colleges recognise their role in tackling the threat of global climate change and making their specific contributions to a resilient, net zero economy that protects, values and rebuilds the natural world.
We acknowledge that countries of the Global South are most affected yet contribute the least to carbon emissions, and we recognise how diversity, equity and access agendas are inextricably linked to climate justice. Decolonisation and climate justice must be viewed together.
In recognition of this global responsibility, and allowing for our individual contexts, the 18 UWC schools and colleges commit this year to planning how we can ensure that we:
Equip UWC students with concrete skills, experiences and pathways that will maximise their personal contribution towards the Paris Goals and UNSDGs
Work to further create and promote educational programmes that radically alter our view of the planet as a resource in the service of economic development
Develop climate action programming with a solutions focus rather than simply problem identification
Clearly signal the role climate justice has in addressing global disparities and inequities related to management of resources, land rights, consumerism, corporate responsibility and social justice generally
Report our own climate impact, as a basis to inform our solution-based efforts, and enable cooperation among the UWC schools and colleges in implementing individual climate strategies.
We acknowledge that how we reach “net zero” by mid-century will be most challenging, with each UWC school and college committing to develop its own local strategy with targets and programmes to reach that common goal. The implementation of any measure will itself enable further climate action in our education programming.
Recognising the varying financial, climatic and geographic conditions of our campuses, these local strategies will differ in terms of when and how targets can be achieved.
With these commitments, we will be within sight of the realisation of our core mission, of making education a force for peace and a sustainable future. And as the world “builds back better” from Covid-19, we appeal to all to “build back green” through sustainable practices and we commit to doing the same.
Signed by the Heads of all UWC schools and colleges:
Anna Marsden, UWC East Africa, Tanzania
Arnett Edwards, Li po Chun UWC, Hong Kong
Carma Elliot, UWC South East Asia, Singapore
Craig Davis, Pearson College UWC, Canada
Dzenan Hakalovic, UWC Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Gabriel Abad Fernandez, UWC Dilijan College, Armenia
Hege Myhre, UWC Red Cross Nordic, Norway
Jason McBride, UWC Thailand, Thailand
Laurence Nodder, UWC Robert Bosch College, Germany
Lodewijk van Oord, UWC Maastricht, Netherlands
Mauricio Viales, UWC Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Patricia Angoy, Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA, eSwatini
Pelham Lindfield Roberts, UWC Changshu China, China
Peter Howe, UWC Atlantic, United Kingdom
Roderick Jemison, UWC ISAK Japan, Japan
Soraya Sayed Hassen, UWC Mahindra College, India
Victoria Mora, UWC-USA, USA
William Turner, UWC Adriatic, Italy