Strengthening Climate Literacy Through Eco Clubs: The Net Green Foundation Model for Scalable SDG Education in India
By Anwar Sadat, Managing Editor, Net Green Foundation
India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2070 has placed education at the center of the nation’s sustainability transition. Young people must not only be aware of climate challenges but also be prepared to take informed action. Recognizing this urgent need, Net Green Foundation (NGF) has developed a pioneering, scalable model that brings Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate science, and practical environmental action into the school ecosystem. Through exhibitions, teacher training, and Eco Club activation, NGF is creating a framework that can be replicated across India’s vast education system.
A centerpiece of this work is the SDG and Climate Science Literacy Exhibition, developed in partnership with UNESCO India and recently showcased at RPS International School, Gurugram. Through visual storytelling, scientific demonstrations, and interactive displays, the exhibition helps students understand climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, and waste management in a holistic and engaging manner. The goal is to spark curiosity and equip students with foundational climate knowledge that will influence their thinking for years to come.
SDG and Climate Science Literacy Exhibition at RPS International School, Gurugram
However, NGF’s approach goes far beyond individual events. It recognizes that teachers are the true multipliers of climate literacy. By training teachers, NGF aims to embed SDG education into everyday classroom practice and school culture. Through collaboration with the SCERT DIET Campus in Gurugram, NGF has begun a large-scale effort to train teachers who will, in turn, support and activate Eco Clubs in their schools. Phase 1 aims to reach teachers from more than 15,000 schools across Haryana, creating a cascading effect that can eventually benefit millions of students.
Eco Clubs play a central role in this vision. While Eco Clubs exist in many Indian schools, their impact often varies due to limited resources or unclear direction. NGF’s model revitalizes these clubs by providing structured SDG-linked activities that are simple, practical, and engaging. These include tree-planting drives, campus waste audits, energy-saving challenges, water-conservation practices, and local problem-solving projects. When students participate in such hands-on activities, they not only learn environmental concepts but also understand how their actions contribute to larger global goals such as climate mitigation and responsible consumption.
According to Anwar Sadat, Managing Editor of Net Green Foundation, sustainability education must be action-oriented and emotionally engaging. He emphasizes that connecting students to SDGs is not just an academic exercise but a national priority, especially in the context of India’s Net Zero ambitions. When children understand why energy conservation matters, or how waste impacts ecosystems, their learning extends beyond classrooms into homes and communities. This ripple effect moving from schools to families and eventually to society has the potential to create a significant cultural shift toward sustainability.
The teacher-centered approach is particularly powerful because it ensures continuity and long-term impact. Once teachers integrate SDGs into lesson plans and Eco Club activities, sustainability becomes part of the school’s identity rather than a one-time initiative. Over time, this helps cultivate environmentally responsible behaviours across entire student populations. With more than 1.5 million schools across India, even modest improvements in climate literacy at the school level can translate into substantial national progress.
Mission 4.7 advocates for embedding sustainable development and global citizenship into education systems worldwide. NGF’s work in India provides a practical, scalable example of how this can be achieved in diverse learning environments. By aligning formal education with experiential Eco Club activities, the model ensures that students develop not only knowledge but also agency. They learn that they can create measurable change whether by reducing energy use in their school, planting trees in their community, or advocating for cleaner neighbourhoods.
Ultimately, the NGF initiative demonstrates that the pathway to a climate-resilient India begins with its classrooms. As more teachers and students join this movement, the Foundation envisions a future where sustainability is not an added subject but a guiding principle woven throughout education. In this future, Eco Clubs become vibrant hubs of innovation and action, empowering children to become informed, responsible citizens who can lead India toward a cleaner and more sustainable tomorrow.