LEBANON (Enmaeya Press Release) – November 28, 2025
Lebanon officially launched its National Greening Education Strategy today at the Grand Serail in Beirut, marking a significant national milestone toward integrating sustainability and environmental awareness into the country’s education system.
The UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), the Ministry of Environment, and the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD), has worked to translate a national commitment to sustainability in education into concrete action.
Through this unified approach, partners are shaping a national framework designed to prepare learners to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and rapidly changing world.
The strategy introduces environmental concepts into curricula, strengthens sustainability literacy, and promotes critical thinking among students. It also outlines practical steps for greening school operations, including energy-efficient infrastructure, waste-reduction practices, and environmentally responsible school management.
Additionally, the strategy prioritizes building the capacities of teachers, school leaders, and policymakers. It also reinforces collaboration with municipalities, civil society, parents, and youth to ensure that environmental engagement extends beyond the classroom.
The ceremony brought together ministers, UN representatives, education leaders, and non-governmental organizations, underscoring the national importance of this initiative.
The launch opened with remarks by UNESCO’s Paolo Fontani and UN Resident Coordinator Imran Riza, followed by a detailed presentation of the strategy by CERD President Dr. Hiyam Ishaac and a high-level ministerial discussion on the long-term impact of greening education in Lebanon.
The announcement comes at a critical moment globally and nationally. While environmental education is increasingly recognized worldwide as essential to preparing young people for the realities of climate change, significant gaps remain. UNESCO notes that although 96,000 schools in 93 countries have adopted green practices, 70% of young people still have a limited understanding of climate change.
The National Greening Education Strategy is therefore both timely and necessary to strengthen resilience across Lebanon.
In his remarks, Paolo Fontani, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, reaffirmed UNESCO’s support under the global Greening Education Partnership. “Every learner in Lebanon should have the opportunity to understand environmental challenges and actively contribute to a more sustainable future,” he said, stressing UNESCO’s continued commitment to this national effort.
Minister of Education and Higher Education H.E. Dr. Rima Karami emphasized that the strategy represents both a symbolic and practical decision for the country. She noted that Lebanese students are navigating unprecedented pressures, making it essential for schools to lead community efforts on climate adaptation.
“This strategy comes at a time when students face daily challenges and stress. Launching the greening strategy ensures schools are not the last to adapt to climate change, but the first to guide their communities in responding to it,” she said.
During her presentation, CERD President Dr. Hiyam Ishaac highlighted practical implementation measures, including school gardens, energy conservation initiatives, and environmental clubs that allow students to apply what they learn in their everyday lives.
A ministerial panel further explored the broader implications of the strategy. Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Tamara El Zein underscored the urgency of addressing environmental knowledge gaps in Lebanon, like the lack of awareness regarding environmental rights, responsibilities, and the behaviors.
Minister of Tourism H.E. Ms. Laura Khazen Lahoud added that environmental education must extend into students’ daily lives, highlighting sustainable tourism as an example of how students can apply environmental principles beyond the classroom.
With today’s launch, Lebanon positions itself among countries taking decisive steps to align education with global sustainability priorities, including UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030.
The National Greening Education Strategy lays the foundation for raising a new generation of environmentally conscious, empowered, and proactive citizens capable of contributing to a more sustainable and resilient Lebanon.
