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Global leaders unite for green education in NYC
The two-day conference aligned global education with climate goals, announcing partnerships and policies designed to transform learning systems into engines of sustainability and planetary strength.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 29, Sep 2025
- 12:33 EDT
- 12
Band of visually-impaired students who sung the climate song at the 9th NYC Green School Conference 2025 / Courtesy: Green Mentors
The 9th NYC Green School Conference 2025 brought together more than 300 delegates from 45 countries in New York City on Sept. 23–24, spotlighting education as a catalyst for climate resilience.
Organized by Green Mentors, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable learning, the gathering coincided with Climate Week NYC and the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The event, cohosted by institutions including UNESCO-IESALC, UN DESA’s Higher Education Sustainability Initiative, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Columbia Climate School, and the University of Colorado Boulder, centered on the theme “Greening Education for Pupils, Planet, and Prosperity.”
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In his welcome speech, Virendra Rawat, founder of Green Mentors, said, “Education is not merely attaining knowledge—it is a climate solution.” He called for global learning systems to become engines of sustainable action.
Keynote speaker Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability at the University of Colorado Boulder and former U.S. federal chief sustainability officer, stressed higher education’s responsibility, urging institutions to “lead with climate purpose.”
Keynote speaker Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability at the University of Colorado Boulder and former U.S. federal chief sustainability officer, at the event / Courtesy: Green Mentors
Several initiatives were unveiled, including UNESCO-IESALC’s South-South University Cooperation Network, UN HESI’s Partnership Framework to strengthen higher education’s role in advancing the SDGs, and the Elective Classification for Sustainability, developed by the University of Colorado Boulder in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education.
Panels featured contributions from policymakers, academics, and industry voices. New York Assemblywoman Emérita Torres and Massachusetts Representative Tram Nguyen provided state-level policy insights, while Columbia University’s Radhika Iyengar and other experts emphasized education’s role as “a diplomatic bridge for global sustainability.”
Corporate support also emerged, with Takeda announcing backing for green education and the Trust for Public Land launching a nationwide schoolyard greening initiative.
(Top-left) Satya Tripathi, former assistant secretary, United Nations ; (Top-right) Adlina Tripoli, principal, Public School 58Q, New York ; (Down) Emérita Torres and Tram Nguyen, at the event / Courtesy: Green Mentors
Rawat closed the conference, stating, “When learning becomes regenerative, every student becomes a steward of the Earth. The 9th NYC Green School Conference marks a turning point toward planetary resilience.”
The event concluded with the Global Green Awards Ceremony, recognizing institutions and individuals for embedding sustainability into curricula, leadership, and innovation. Awards included Global Green University, Global Green Teacher, and Young Climate Leader of the Year.
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