Educators Convene in Taipei to Discuss Climate Justice and Education's Role in Climate Action

In response to the escalating climate crisis, the National Federation of Teachers' Unions (NFU) in Taiwan, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific branch of Education International (EIAP), convened an international conference in Taipei titled "Educators' Climate Justice and Just Transition." This significant gathering brought together representatives from teacher unions across North Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia, to collectively explore how educational systems can transition from merely enduring the impacts of climate change to actively driving solutions.

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Teachers and students are not only the affected parties of climate change, but should also become the actors promoting change.

NFU President Hou Chun-liang underscored a critical perspective: teachers and students are not just passive victims of climate change but must become active agents of change. This sentiment was echoed throughout the conference, as participants grappled with the profound disruptions climate change is inflicting upon educational institutions globally. International data indicates that approximately 242 million students worldwide faced learning interruptions in 2025 due to climate-related events, highlighting the urgent need for educational systems to integrate climate action into their core functions. The consensus was clear: climate education must evolve beyond mere knowledge dissemination to foster critical thinking, action-oriented skills, and civic participation, thereby empowering education to become a potent force for climate justice.

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Climate education cannot just stop at knowledge transmission, but should cultivate students' judgment, action, and participation in public affairs, making education an important force for promoting climate justice.

Taiwan's experience, shared by Ye Ming-cheng, Executive Director of the NFU's Professional Development Center, illustrated the tangible impacts of extreme weather on school operations. Issues such as overheating classrooms, damage to school facilities, and increased risks during commutes were discussed. While Taiwan has initiatives like "air conditioning for every classroom" and solar power integration, disparities remain, particularly in remote areas concerning transportation subsidies and disaster insurance. These gaps highlight the environmental injustices exacerbated by climate change, emphasizing that improving educational environments is not just about comfort but about safeguarding students' fundamental rights to education and personal safety. The conference served as a vital platform for sharing strategies, fostering cross-border collaboration, and reinforcing the role of educators in advocating for climate justice and a sustainable future.

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Extreme high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and typhoons have significantly affected campus operations, including overheating classrooms affecting learning, damage to campus facilities, and increased commute risks.