This is why we partnered with Italian NGO AVSI Foundation, supporting their ENERGY project to reach over 10,000 students and 550 teachers in over 200 schools across Northern Italy over the past two years.
With AVSI leading the programme, South Pole's team focused on integrating sustainability into educational activities, involving the students through a tailored learning module that provided them with the knowledge and tools they need to drive environmental change. This learning module introduced essential climate action concepts and equipped participants with practical skills to address critical environmental issues, particularly carbon management and biodiversity protection.
Our team worked closely with teachers, holding training sessions and providing engaging resources—infographics, slide decks, and video interviews—that deepened their understanding of climate and wider sustainability topics. Recently, our local team had the opportunity to deliver interactive, in-person lessons in some schools in Northern Italy
A key highlight of this project has been our hands-on lab experience, where students estimated their school's carbon footprint by analysing winter heat consumption using emission factors provided by our experts. This practical exercise made their environmental impact tangible, sparking deeper discussions about climate action in the classrooms.
Based on the analysis, students brainstormed on actionable reduction strategies as well as possible options to compensate unavoidable emissions by purchasing carbon credits and supporting certified climate projects. This activity deepened the students' understanding of climate impact and their sense of environmental responsibility.
The creativity and dedication of the students were inspiring. Some students at Regina Mundi high school in Milan decided to go above and beyond this project and worked on a proposal for their school to invest in heat pumps and expand their solar panel installations to reduce their structural carbon footprint.
The project culminated in the "Forum Nazionale 'La nostra identità, la nostra natura. La sostenibilità secondo i giovani'" (National Forum 'Our Identity, Our Nature. Sustainability according to young people') held on October 21 at the Italian Government Chamber of Deputies in Rome, where students presented their proposals. This event brought together companies, schools, and institutions, underscoring the power of collaboration in advancing sustainability.
South Pole's team is proud of the impact it's made partnering with AVSI Foundation in the ENERGY project and the future leaders of this programme empowered through sustainability education. By embedding these principles within the classrooms, we are not just teaching students about environmental issues; we are inspiring them to take meaningful action. South Pole is committed to accelerating the transition to a climate-smart society and fostering collaboration for a more sustainable future.
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