UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is mobilizing a proactive response to the pressing climate crisis with an ambitious series of webinars. Recognizing that cities are major contributors, responsible for approximately 75% of global CO2 emissions, the focus is on leveraging urban environments, particularly transport systems and office buildings, to lead the charge in combating climate change.

With the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities set in December 2024, themed 'Learning cities at the forefront of climate action,' the GNLC is launching a series of webinars leading up to the event. These sessions will delve deeply into the critical role of cities in climate action, emphasizing the pivotal role of learning cities in developing climate consciousness and equipping residents with essential green skills.

The webinars

The webinars will take place on Zoom from 13:00 to 14:00 (CET/CEST) on the third Wednesday of each month starting on Wednesday, 20 March, and ending on Wednesday, 20 November 2024. 

Webinar languages: Arabic, English, French, Korean, Spanish

The webinars aim to facilitate exchange and peer learning among GNLC members, exploring various topics related to learning city development. They will particularly focus on the interconnection between the climate emergency and other thematic areas of focus within the GNLC, including education for sustainable development, lifelong learning for health, and global citizenship education.

Dates and Topics

• 17/04 Webinar: "How climate assemblies can support greening communities"
• 15/05 Webinar: "Building capacities for an eco-friendly future: the importance of green skills"
• 19/06 Webinar: "How digital learning can promote climate education in urban communities"
• 17/07 Webinar: "Charting a lifelong learning strategy for climate action: development, implementation and monitoring"
• 21/08 Webinar: "Empowering institutions and communities to drive lifelong learning for climate action"
• 18/09 Webinar: "Building resilient cities: promoting green and healthy urban environments"
• 16/10 Webinar: "Countering climate disinformation: strengthening global citizenship education and media literacy"
• 20/11 Webinar: "Shifting paradigms: fostering sustainable lifestyles and rethinking our relationship with nature"