In a groundbreaking achievement that highlights the growing importance of sustainability in education, a Dubai-based school has won the prestigious 2025 World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action.
The award, which recognizes outstanding efforts by educational institutions to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability, was presented to Green Future International School (GFIS) in an inspiring global ceremony held in London.
This accolade places the school firmly on the world stage and positions the UAE as a global leader in educational innovation and environmental responsibility.
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What is the World’s Best School Prize?
The World’s Best School Prizes were founded by T4 Education in partnership with globally respected organizations, including Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture, and American Express. The awards are presented annually to schools that demonstrate excellence and innovation in one of five categories:
- Environmental Action
- Community Collaboration
- Supporting Healthy Lives
- Innovation
- Overcoming Adversity
The Environmental Action category celebrates schools that lead the way in promoting ecological awareness, reducing their carbon footprint, and integrating sustainable practices across all aspects of school life. Winning this category signals a school’s ability to not only educate but also inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.
Why Green Future International School Stood Out in 2025
Out of hundreds of entries from across more than 100 countries, Green Future International School emerged as a leader due to its groundbreaking initiatives in climate education, zero-waste practices, and community-based environmental programs.
Key Initiatives That Led to the Award:
1. Zero-Waste Campus Strategy
Green Future International School implemented a campus-wide Zero-Waste Policy in 2023, which successfully reduced the school’s landfill waste by over 95%. This was achieved through:
- On-site composting facilities
- Ban on single-use plastics
- Use of recycled materials in classrooms and labs
- Partnership with local recycling firms for sustainable waste management
2. Climate Change Curriculum Integration
The school embedded environmental studies into its entire K-12 curriculum, with real-world projects tied to science, economics, and social studies. Students are required to participate in “Green Capstone Projects” where they must propose, test, and implement a sustainability solution either in their local or school community.
3. Solar-Powered School Facilities
By mid-2024, GFIS became one of the first schools in the Middle East to fully transition to solar energy. Rooftop solar panels now power over 85% of the school’s energy needs, with the rest offset by carbon credits and clean energy investments.
4. Urban Garden Program
A previously unused plot on campus was transformed into a thriving urban garden and aquaponics lab, providing students hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture. Produce grown in the garden is donated to local shelters and food banks.
5. Community Environmental Outreach
The school initiated a “Green Neighbors Program” involving parents, local businesses, and municipal leaders to improve sustainability across the Dubai suburb in which the school is located. The project has led to the planting of over 10,000 native trees, regular beach clean-up events, and the introduction of sustainable transport routes for students.
The Award Ceremony: A Global Recognition
The award was presented at the World Education Summit 2025 in London, where dignitaries, educators, and policy makers from around the world gathered to celebrate the future of learning. Accepting the award on behalf of the school, Principal Dr. Layla Al Mansoori stated:
“This recognition belongs to every student, teacher, parent, and community member who believed in a greener future. Our school is proof that meaningful environmental change can start in the classroom and ripple out into the world.”
The Importance of Environmental Education in the 21st Century
Environmental education is no longer a luxury or extracurricular option. With the accelerating effects of climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss, schools across the globe are rethinking the role of education in preparing future citizens.
The United Nations recognizes Environmental Education (EE) as a key driver in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13: Climate Action, and Goal 4: Quality Education.
By integrating sustainability into their educational frameworks, schools like GFIS are producing students who are:
- Environmentally literate
- Equipped with 21st-century problem-solving skills
- Empowered to drive change locally and globally
Dubai’s Commitment to Sustainability and Education
This award comes at a time when Dubai and the UAE are increasingly being recognized for their sustainability ambitions. In recent years, the UAE launched several forward-thinking initiatives:
- The UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative
- The Green Education Partnership Roadmap, developed in collaboration with UNESCO
- COP28, hosted in Dubai in 2023, which showcased the UAE’s climate leadership
GFIS’s recognition reinforces Dubai’s growing status as a hub for environmental innovation in education.
What This Means for Other Schools Worldwide
The win by GFIS sets a benchmark and offers a blueprint for other schools around the world. The school has made its Green Education Framework available online for free, encouraging other institutions to replicate or adapt its model.
Tips for Schools Wanting to Improve Environmental Impact:
- Start with a Green Audit: Assess your school’s carbon footprint and waste output.
- Empower Student Leadership: Create student-led green councils or sustainability clubs.
- Integrate Sustainability Across Subjects: Move beyond science class—math, literature, and arts can all engage with environmental themes.
- Partner With Local Governments and NGOs: Collaborate on real-world environmental projects.
- Invest in Green Infrastructure: Even small changes like energy-efficient lighting or water-saving taps can make a difference.
The Role of Teachers in Driving Environmental Change
At the heart of GFIS’s success is its passionate teaching staff. Every teacher undergoes annual sustainability training, and their performance metrics now include contributions to environmental learning outcomes.
Teachers serve not only as educators but as role models, mentors, and change agents. Their ability to engage students on the urgency of environmental issues has been key to transforming the school culture.
Students as Changemakers
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the story is the student-led innovation. From coding apps to track food waste to developing biodegradable packaging alternatives, GFIS students are proving that age is no barrier to environmental leadership.
One standout initiative is the “Plastic-Free Pledge App,” designed by a group of high schoolers. The app gamifies sustainability, allowing users to earn points and rewards for avoiding plastic use. The app has since been adopted by schools across five countries.
Future Plans for Green Future International School
Fresh off their win, GFIS shows no signs of slowing down. The school has announced several bold initiatives:
- Launch of a regional Green Schools Network to support sustainability efforts across the GCC.
- Construction of a carbon-negative learning center for environmental research.
- Expansion of their “Green Teacher Fellowship” to train 1,000 teachers across MENA by 2027.
Dr. Layla Al Mansoori added:
“We are honored by this recognition, but this is just the beginning. Our vision is to create a generation that doesn’t just talk about sustainability—they live it.”
Global Reactions
Educational leaders and environmental advocates across the globe have praised the win. Notably, Greta Thunberg tweeted:
“Bravo to Green Future Int’l School! True climate heroes are teaching, learning, and taking action. 🌍🌱 #WorldsBestSchoolPrize #EnvironmentalAction”
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay also congratulated the school in a statement, calling it a “model of transformative education for the planet.”
Frequently Asked Question
Which Dubai school won the 2025 World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action?
Green Future International School (GFIS), based in Dubai, won the prestigious 2025 World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action for its outstanding sustainability initiatives, student-led environmental projects, and community impact programs.
What is the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action?
The World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action is a global award presented by T4 Education to schools that lead transformative efforts in environmental sustainability. It recognizes innovative practices, climate education, waste reduction, and community environmental engagement.
What environmental programs did the Dubai school implement to win the award?
Key initiatives by Green Future International School included:
- A zero-waste campus policy
- Integration of climate change education into the K–12 curriculum
- Solar-powered infrastructure
- A student-run urban garden and aquaponics lab
- The “Green Neighbors Program” for community sustainability outreach
How was the winning school selected for the award?
The school was chosen from hundreds of global applicants based on strict criteria including:
- Measurable environmental impact
- Curriculum innovation
- Community engagement
- Student leadership in sustainability
Judges included education experts, environmental leaders, and policy makers from around the world.
What does this award mean for education in Dubai and the UAE?
The win positions Dubai—and the UAE—as a regional and global leader in green education. It aligns with the country’s Net Zero 2050 goals and supports its mission to integrate sustainability into all sectors, including education.
Can other schools learn from or adopt Green Future’s sustainability model?
Yes. Green Future International School has made its Green Education Framework publicly available to help other institutions worldwide implement similar sustainable practices and curricula.
What are the future plans for Green Future International School after winning the prize?
The school plans to:
- Launch a Green Schools Network in the GCC
- Build a carbon-negative learning center
- Expand its teacher training programs to promote environmental literacy across the MENA region
Conclusion
The 2025 World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action is more than an award—it’s a global call to action. Green Future International School’s win is proof that when schools prioritize sustainability, they can create powerful ripple effects far beyond the classroom.
This victory represents the potential of education to tackle the climate crisis, empower young changemakers, and inspire systemic change. As GFIS continues to lead by example, schools everywhere are being challenged to reimagine what it means to educate in a climate-conscious world.