CLIMATE PENPAL is an initiative aimed at encouraging schools to commit to reducing their carbon footprint by 50% and integrating a sustainability education program for their students, with the goal of reaching Net Zero emissions. Participating schools and their students will establish PENPAL partnerships with counterparts worldwide to learn about how climate change affects their communities and to support each other in achieving their carbon reduction pledge. Through these partnerships, schools will share knowledge and strategies for taking local action to address this global challenge.
“The Climate Penpal initiative is a true testament to the power of grassroots advocacy. In this time of gross misinformation, comes a vacuum void of direction. Maha’s initiative speaks volumes of the thirst for knowledge and experience many young people are looking for, particularly with the realities of climate change. From small leaps to large impact, we’re excited to see youth from Dubai take the lead in mobilizing climate action through awareness around the world.”
Hind Al Boom
Former Program and Content Curator for Notable Global Initiatives,
World Government Summit Organisation and Expo 2020
"We are so proud of our Head Student, Maha Evers, and her superb initiative. The Mission Statement of Climate Penpal aims to make a positive impact on the greatest threat we face, through awareness, understanding and action. This aligns perfectly with the JESS Dubai Vision of ‘Educating to Make a Difference in the World’. Climate Penpal’s first steps of sharing information, taking responsibility and the carbon pledge are a call to arms for all of us to sit up, take notice and act. This is youth leadership at its very best. I hope that you will join with us in supporting Maha and Climate Penpal. This programme is giving us all the opportunity to make a difference."
Shane O’Brien
Olympic Gold Medalist and Director of JESS Dubai
The Climate Penpal Schools Youth Project aims to equip school students with a foundation of knowledge and competent skills in the field of sustainability. Drawing on insights and guidance from the CP Global Ambassadors Advisory Board, which will comprise of stakeholders from academia, the private sector and government.
The Climate Penpal Sustainability Certification will provide high school students with accreditation that shows they have made a measurable contribution to the Net Zero journey and in doing so have acquired a basic knowledge on sustainability that will ensure that they could continue to have impact on NZ after they leave school.
CLIMATE PENPAL STUDENT AMBASSADORS
The CLIMATE PENPAL initiative will be adopted by schools as part of their Climate Change education programme – each institution will appoint a team of volunteer Climate Penpal Student Ambassadors (CPSAs) to promote the campaign internally to all the students in their schools, to work with the school leadership to devise programmes for reducing the school’s carbon footprint, and to help build external Penpal partnerships with schools in other parts of the region and the world.
Founder
Maha Hana Evers
IE University Student Government | Varsity Athlete | Climate Citizen
Maha enrolled at IE University (Spain) in September 2023 to pursue a degree in Communications & Digital Media after completing her International Baccalaureate (IB) at JESS Dubai, where she served as the Student Body President. During her tenure as Head Student at JESS Dubai, which she earned through a democratic election at the oldest international school in the UAE, Maha founded Climate Penpal (www.climatepenpal.org). Maha consistently excelled academically, maintaining an 'A' average throughout High School, and demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities both in and out of the classroom. She was a standout varsity athlete, earning recognition as the Top Female Athlete in primary school at DESS Dubai and leading JESS Dubai to success in multiple sports championships. Currently, Maha is an active member of the IE University varsity girls' football team in Segovia, Spain.