Documents Relating To Australia's 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution
Education
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The Department of Education released internal correspondence from July 2025 concerning Australia's 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. The exchange, initiated by Senator David Pocock's inquiry about the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership, involved coordination between Education and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water regarding whether education would be included in Australia's updated NDC. Department officials drafted responsive language confirming Australia's commitment to education and climate change actions under a common agenda, while noting the NDC was still in production. The disclosure shows cross-departmental engagement on climate policy integration with education, though substantive details about final NDC content and education's specific inclusion remain redacted or unspecified in the released excerpt.
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Document 1 From: EDUC - Multilateral Engagement To: s 22(1) Cc: Subject: RE: Greening Education Partnership: Nationally Determined Contributions (Paris Agreement) [SEC=OFFICIAL] Date: Monday, 21 July 2025 9:44:54 AM Attachments: image001.jpg image002.png Hi s 22(1) Thank you very much for this. Would you be comfortable with us providing the below wording in our response to Senator Pocock? “Australia is committed to the actions under the common agenda for education and climate change, which includes encouraging the inclusion of education in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). s 47C(1) Very happy for alternative suggestions – I understand the NDC is still in the production stage. Kind regards s 22(1) International Standards | International Students, Legislation & Integrity Branch International Division Australian Government Department of Education Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Newsroom The Department of Education acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging s 22(1) s 22(1) From: s 22(1) @education.gov.au> Sent: Thursday, 17 July 2025 12:44 PM To: s 22(1) @dcceew.gov.au> Cc: s 22(1) @dcceew.gov.au>; s 22(1) @dcceew.gov.au>; s 22(1) @dcceew.gov.au>; EDUC - Multilateral Engagement s 47E(d) @education.gov.au>; s 22(1) @dcceew.gov.au> s 22(1) @education.gov.au>; s 22(1) @education.gov.au> Subject: Greening Education Partnership: Nationally Determined Contributions (Paris Agreement) [SEC=OFFICIAL] # OFFICIAL H s 22(1) I hope you are well. We have received the attached correspondence from Senator David Pocock on the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership. I note that Senator Pocock addresses Australia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Could I please confirm whether Australia intended to update their NDC this year, and if so, whether education will be included? We would appreciate advice by this Friday. Kind regards s 22(1) International Standards | International Students, Legislation & Integrity Branch International Division Australian Government Department of Education Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Newsroom The Department of Education acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging. s 22(1) # OFFICIAL s 22(1) 4 s 22(1) 5 s 22(1) 6 s 22(1) 7 s 22(1) 8  # SENATOR DAVID POCOCK Senator for the ACT The Hon Jason Clare MP Minister for Education Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Minister Clare, I write to encourage the Australian Government to consider joining the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership. The Greening Education Partnership is a global initiative that recognises the critical role of education in addressing climate change and environmental degradation. Equipping young Australians with the skills and knowledge needed to understand and respond to the climate and biodiversity crises is essential if we are to build a more resilient and sustainable nation. These crises are already impacting the lives of Australian students, and the education system has an important role to play in preparing them to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. The Greening Education Partnership takes a whole-of-system approach, bringing together governments, civil society, intergovernmental organisations, the private sector, and youth to embed climate action across school systems. This aligns strongly with the growing call from educators, parents, and students across the ACT and Australia for more consistent, integrated climate and sustainability education. In addition, I note UNESCO's call for countries to formally integrate education into their 2025 5-yearly updates of their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Ninety nations, including the United Kingdom, have already done so. Given Australia's commitments under the Agreement, and the government's focus on climate ambition, I urge the Government to include education in the next update of our NDC. Thank you for your time in considering this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this further. Alternatively, my office can be contacted via s 47F(1) on s 47F(1) or s 47F(1) Kind regards, Parliament House P +61 2 6277 3117, PO Box 6100, Senate, Canberra ACT 2600 | Electorate Office P +61 2 6247 6444, Shop 1, 25 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gunghalin, ACT 2912 | senator.david.pocock@aph.gov.au | www.davidpocock.com.au  # Senator David Pocock 14 July 2025 10