What does clean energy have to do with education? More than you might think. By harnessing sustainable power, schools can improve learning environments and empower students with the tools they need to thrive. All, while contributing to a greener future.
Yet the reality is that millions of schools worldwide – particularly those in low-income communities and fragile contexts – lack access to electricity. This means they are unable to light classrooms, power water systems, cool and heat classrooms, or use computers, phones, and the internet.
This is known as energy poverty.
Energy poverty in schools can stem from a lack of access to energy services, affordability, or unreliable and poor-quality energy provision. The end result: environments where both teaching and learning are hindered, ultimately reducing the quality of education.
Innovative technologies are working to change the way we power education – and proving to be game-changers. From solar-powered classrooms in Eritrea to Eco-Villages in Madagascar and new approaches in Iraq, these initiatives are supporting children to learn green and digital skills and empowering youth and communities. They are also helping to remove barriers to education, especially for adolescent girls, by ensuring schools have adequate water and sanitation facilities.
As we celebrate Earth Day 2025, the theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ resonates more than ever. With a global focus on renewable energy and the ambitious goal of tripling electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030, the role of younger generations in driving this change is critical, especially in the face of energy poverty.
One innovative solution that is bringing sustainable light to classrooms and preventing interruptions in learning is solar energy. It makes education more flexible and accessible by powering the technology and infrastructure needed for digital learning, improving teacher retention through better working conditions, and reducing administrative costs for data management. Solar power also extends the school day, giving teachers and students more time to prepare lessons and engage in learning activities.
In Eritrea, UNICEF and the Government are working together to boost climate resilience in 12 schools across 4 remote rural and climate-affected regions. With 14 solar panels, 8 batteries and 15 desktop computers, each school is reducing its carbon footprint, providing reliable power and creating opportunities for students to gain valuable digital skills. This initiative is reaching approximately 6,500 students from Grade 8 onwards.
Innovative, community-led solutions are also driving climate resilience in Madagascar. Partnering with local communities, youth associations and the Government, UNICEF has established 21 ‘Eco-Villages’ which include solar-powered schools and health facilities that serve as hubs for climate education and skills development. The impact is substantial: 3,500 youth and 5,000 women now participate in environmental dialogues and sustainability initiatives, from tree planting to eco-friendly charcoal production. This initiative demonstrates how centering children's rights and community ownership builds resilience, protects the environment, and unlocks community potential.
In Iraq, green energy and safe water initiatives are transforming education and promoting sustainability. In 314 schools across 12 provinces, over 120,000 students now benefit from a continuous supply of green energy and safe water – reducing carbon emissions and improving learning conditions. In areas where water is scarce, innovative air-to-water technology is producing safe drinking water in select pilot schools – giving children the opportunity to learn green skills and monitor their school’s water usage through a child-friendly application.
Project Alpha is another groundbreaking UNICEF-led initiative that is bringing sustainable solar energy to schools, health centers, and water and sanitation facilities in places like Yemen and Sierra Leone. Project Alpha is addressing the critical need for energy in humanitarian contexts by exploring innovative financing options and focuses on equipping young people with green skills such as solar technical skills and creating opportunities for youth in the renewable energy sector.
Clean energy powers more than just lights – it powers learning.
To achieve Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education) and 7 (affordable, clean energy for all), improving reliable clean energy access in schools is critical, so children and young people can develop the skills they need to thrive and build a green future. To accelerate progress towards these goals, UNICEF is working together with organizations such as Sustainable Energy for All, Innovation Norway, and Aga Khan Foundation.
You can make a difference in your community by learning about clean energy systems or volunteering to teach your community about its benefits! You can also spread the word through your social media to raise awareness about the importance of making clean energy available to every school, everywhere.
Let's harness our power to build a sustainable planet for generations to come.
The action we take today can light up a child's future tomorrow.
Ingrid Sanchez Tapia is a Senior Adviser, Education and Climate at UNICEF
