TO ALL TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING STAFF IN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS (including those who are not currently members of a teachers' union**) 

By signing this petition, you are calling on the Australian Education Union (AEU) to work with State/Territory and Commonwealth Ministers of Education to address the following 5 points:

1.Implement AEU's Public Education and Climate Emergency Policy (2022) as a matter of urgency

I SUPPORT the AEU's stand on climate action in schools and education, as outlined in its Public Education and Climate Emergency Policy (AEU, 2022), because:

• Education has an important role to play in helping young people to build awareness, knowledge, skills and agency about climate change.
• Understanding how to positively contribute to helping the planet will strengthen student's resilience and improve mental health and wellness. 

2. Fully investigate fossil fuel sponsorship, advertising and partnerships in Australian schools

I SUPPORT the findings of the report From Cradle to Career. Fossil Fuel Industry in Australian Schools & Childhood Settings (Comms Declare, 2026), which recommends a ban on fossil fuel advertising in schools and a Senate inquiry to:

• Understand the scale and nature of fossil fuel industry engagement with children and young people.
• Determine if additional safeguards are required to protect educational integrity, institutional independence and the public interest.
• Ensure future economic pathways are founded on unbiased, science-based education.

3. Include "Education" in Australia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Paris Agreement

I SUPPORT UNESCO's Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change (2023) (Commitment Area 2: MITIGATE), according to which the Australian Government as a signatory pledged to:

• "Develop comprehensive education sector strategies to build climate-smart and resilient education systems that prepare all learners to actively engage in climate mitigation."
• "Evidence our commitment by encouraging the inclusion of education in our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)."
• NOTE: Currently, Australia has no NDCs for Education.

4. Include climate change education as part of national and State/Territory adaptation, mitigation and investment strategies

I SUPPORT UNESCO's Declaration on the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change (2023) (Commitment Area 1: ADAPT),  according to which the Australian Government as a signatory pledged to:

• "Identify vulnerabilities and implement national education strategies to address climate risk, adopt adaptation measures and build more resilient education systems".
•  "Leverage the role of education to achieve net zero emissions in the education sector".
• "Evidence our commitment by including education in our national adaptation strategies."
• NOTE: Currently, Australia does not identify "education" as key sector in its National Adaptation Plan (2025), and Victoria is the only jurisdiction with an Education and Training Adaptation Action Plan (2022-26).

5. Join UNESCO's Greening Education Partnership

I SUPPORT Australia joining UNESCO's Greening Education Partnership (GEP), which establishes 4 pillars of transformative education to: 

• Green schools for climate action and sustainability.
• Green curriculum to guide teaching and learning for climate action.
• Green teacher training and education systems’ capacities.
• Greening communities to enhance resilience at the local level.
• NOTE:  Australia has refused to participate in GEP - although 99 countries do participate.

**If you are a member of a teachers' union, the 5 points in this petition may also be presented as motion(s) to your local union branch, district and state/territory councils.