Published: February 07, 2025, 09:00 GST
72,000 UAE Youth participate in the ‘BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse’, a climate education initiative.
- Young people aged 12-22 shared their views on climate education in extensive nationwide digital survey.
- The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse seeks to empower young people and give them active say in climate and sustainability related education pathways.
- Offered in English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Mandarin.
- Survey data will used by curriculum developers and education providers to better integrate climate learning objectives into education outcomes.
UAE – 07 February 2024: The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse, a digital survey launched by the UAE Ministry of Education in partnership with Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) in line with the ‘We The UAE 2031’ vision throughout all schools and universities nationwide welcomed responses from 72,000 young people.
The annual survey, which is powered by World’s Largest Lesson and Play Verto, the gamified data collection platform, seeks to empower UAE youth by enabling them to play an active role in transforming climate education nationwide. The initiative strongly connects to the UAE’s commitment to climate education as showcased at COP28.
The survey was developed in close collaboration with a group of youth advisors, including students from the UAE and MENA region. The aim was to create, a playful, digital survey available in five languages (Arabic, English, French, Mandarin and Spanish) that will annually gather views from students aged 12-22 on climate change and education. These views will be used to influence climate education policies and curriculum, supporting the UAE's vision of leading environmental sustainability and green innovation toward a clean, emission-free future.
Data from The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse will provide critical insights for curriculum developers, and education providers, which will be used to develop an action plan to support curriculum development and other educational programming for young people. This dynamic system of listening and responding to students represents a unique and innovative approach to educational development.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education Her Excellency Amna Al Saleh, Acting Executive Director of Schools Development of the Ministry of Education explained:
“The BIG GREEN Legacy is a testament to the UAE's commitment to empowering the youth in the country as architects of a sustainable future. We recognise that our young people care deeply about the world around them and so by encouraging them to share their perspectives we are providing them with an opportunity to help create cutting edge sustainable development education. This will contribute to our role as a leading country in supporting the global agenda for environmental sustainability. Through initiatives like this, we are advancing the goals of UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership and preparing every learner to be climate ready and equipped for the challenges ahead."
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to equip Arab youth with the skills and mindset needed to mitigate and overcome climate and environmental challenges,” added Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, Chief Executive Officer of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF). “Through initiatives like The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse, we are not only empowering students to shape their own future, but also bridging formal and non-formal education to drive the green transition. This initiative gives young people a platform for a level of active involvement that embodies the UAE’s commitment to placing youth contributions at the heart of building a sustainable and forward-thinking society.”
Prior to the launch of the survey educators engaged students in thought-provoking discussions about the potential impact of their generation. These conversations centered on a powerful idea: that taking meaningful action on climate change, protecting our environment, and embracing sustainable living practices represent a vital legacy for young people to create.
These preparatory discussions served to set the stage for students to approach The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse with a deeper understanding of their potential role in shaping a sustainable future. By framing climate action and environmental stewardship as part of their legacy, educators are inspiring students to view their participation in the survey as more than just answering questions – but as actively shaping a greener, more sustainable world for generations to come.
The Ministry of Education aims to share this strategy throughout the region and beyond, aligning with UNESCO's Greening Education Partnership goals to ensure every learner is climate ready.
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Further Information:
Following their participation in The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse, students participated in further learning. A carefully curated series of lessons with new, introductory videos produced by The Climate Tribe, deepened their understanding of climate change and environmental solutions, exploring concepts such how our actions shape the future, learning from the wisdom of the past and cultural heritage, and how innovation is helping to develop a circular economy. By highlighting UAE-based sustainability initiatives, the lessons demonstrate that climate action is not a distant concept but a reality in their own communities.
The BIG GREEN Legacy was announced on the 26th September in New York at a UN General Assembly side event and described as a “Gamechanger for Climate Education”. The event was attended by Her Royal Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators and The Climate Tribe, Leyla Hasanova COP 29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion and Rami Al Najada, Big Green Legacy Youth Board Member
At the event Rami Al Najada said: “Young people in our region are already feeling the impact of climate change and so it’s important we find new and different ways to help everyone to learn and take action. The Pulse is a fun way to ask questions that let us share our experience and ideas for education. It’s really exciting to be able to be part of this project and I hope that other countries will follow the lead of the UAE. It’s a great way for us to feel our opinions matter and leave a legacy of innovation and relevance in education for generations of students to come, ensuring that the students of today are the changemakers of tomorrow.”
The BIG GREEN Legacy Pulse was open for participation in multiple languages including Arabic and English for a duration of three weeks and results will be published in early 2025.
For more information about The BIG GREEN Legacy project please contact: bgl@moe.gov.ae
About the UAE Ministry of Education’s Greening Education Agenda The UAE Ministry of Education is at the forefront of integrating climate education into the nation's educational framework. Through its participation in UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership, the MoE is working on four key pillars: Greening Capacities, Greening Curriculum, Greening Schools, and Greening Communities. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of the educational process, from curricula to school infrastructure, the MoE is dedicated to nurturing environmentally conscious generations capable of leading positive change and building a sustainable future. Learn more about the Ministry of Education, UAE
About Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF): The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF), established in 2015, is the largest private philanthropy dedicated to education in the Arab region. AGF is committed to empowering Emirati and Arab youth by providing access to quality educational programs. Through various initiatives and strategic partnerships, AGF equips the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the sustainable development of the region. To date, AGF has positively impacted over 130,000 Emirati and Arab youth, fostering their growth and contributions to the region's development. Learn more about Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
About World’s Largest Lesson The World’s Largest Lesson is committed to introducing children and young people everywhere to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and building their skills to take action. World’s Largest Lesson is delivered in partnership with UNICEF and UNESCO. The BIG GREEN Legacy provides an opportunity for all UAE students to build knowledge and take action for many of the SDGs including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG12 (Responsible Consumption) SDG 13 (Climate Action) , SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Learn more about World’s Largest Lesson.
About Play Verto Play Verto is turning traditional research on its head. Using play and gamification to generate engagement and heartfelt responses to important social and environmental questions. This in turn helps generate actionable insights that empower leaders and decision-makers to act with confidence. Play Verto co-creates with partner organisations, communities, and individuals worldwide, weaving together a rich tapestry of perspectives to create powerful, playable survey experiences.Learn more about Play Verto
About The Climate Tribe The Climate Tribe is a UAE-based social enterprise dedicated to sparking climate action through dynamic storytelling, immersive community engagement, and radical collaboration. As a collective, the Climate Tribe shares the stories of inspiring changemakers, trailblazers, entrepreneurs and philanthropists who are leading the charge against climate change. Learn more about The Climate Tribe