COLLEGES and universities across Britain must “decarbonise and decolonise” education to help better prepare students for the climate crisis, unions and campaign groups are demanding ahead of the COP26 international climate change conference later this year.

The campaign, launched with an online event today, is jointly co-ordinated by the University and College Union (UCU), Teach the Future, Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) and the National Union of Students and forms part of wider calls for the sector to do more to embed climate education in curriculums by 2030.

Institutions are being urged to meet the United Nations Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) goals and to establish a decolonising commission with trade unions, students and local community involvement.

The campaign warns that decolonising education institutions is a vital step towards achieving a just and sustainable education system.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Human beings are the greatest contributors to climate change and we urgently need the education sector to equip learners to address this before the situation becomes even more catastrophic.

“We need all students to be furnished with the knowledge, skills and values to be able to act with the best interest of both people and planet.”

Ms Grady argued that institutions need to act with “much greater urgency” in pursuit of a fairer, zero-carbon future.

She added: “As this campaign recognises, our colonial past has directly contributed to the climate emergency we currently face.

“That’s why it’s crucial that work to decarbonise our institutions goes hand in hand with decolonisation.

“As we approach COP26, it’s time for our colleges and universities to step up to the plate and ensure that sustainability and social justice are embedded in every single discipline and activity within our institutions.”

The campaign is also calling for institutions to conduct a systemic review of representation, including of staff, students and governance structures.

It also highlights the need for ethical investment policies and divestment from fossil fuels and arms manufacturing.

Global leaders will discuss action to tackle the climate emergency at COP26, which takes place in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12.