PPG announced a two-year partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a global leader in promoting environmental education and sustainable development in schools. PPG will provide a $150,000 community engagement grant to help expand FEE’s programs, which focus on climate change education through UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership (GEP). This collaboration is part of PPG’s global commitment to invest $5 million in environmental sustainability education by 2030.
“We are proud to partner with FEE to empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle climate change,” said Peter Votruba-Drzal, PPG vice president, Global Sustainability. “Through this collaboration, we aim to support the development and dissemination of high-quality educational resources that will reach students across the globe, inspiring them to become the environmental stewards of tomorrow.”
The funding provided by PPG will support the creation and release of new educational materials, including a comprehensive "Eco-Schools" handbook, instructional videos, online courses, and training materials for teachers. These resources will be available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, to ensure broad accessibility.
Copenhagen-based FEE, as the coordinator of the Greening Education Partnership, is committed to achieving UNESCO’s goal of accrediting 50% of all schools to a green school scheme by 2030 and doubling the number of countries that include climate education in their school curricula.
“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and education plays a pivotal role in addressing it,” said Daniel Schaffer, FEE’s chief executive officer. “With the support of PPG, we will use the best experiences and approaches from our global Eco-Schools network to create new tools and materials in multiple languages. These will enable schools, young people, and their communities worldwide to learn about and address immediate climate change challenges and develop long-term environmental stewardship and sustainability practices.”
This partnership represents PPG’s first global support initiative in environmental education, with the potential to impact 30,000 schools, 75,000 teachers, and 1 million students worldwide, ensuring a lasting legacy in the fight against climate change.
PPG’s global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. In 2023, PPG invested more than $17.5 million, supporting hundreds of organizations across nearly 40 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, PPG helps grow tomorrow’s STEM innovators and skilled workforce in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Additionally, PPG empowers employees to amplify their impact by supporting volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at communities.ppg.com.