Eco-Schools is an international programme for environmental education and management, which aims to raise students' awareness of sustainable development issues through classroom study and school and community action.
The programme encourages children and youth to take an active role in how their school can be run for the benefit of the environment. Practical steps are taken to reduce the environmental impact of the school, following a process based on environmental management systems, such as EMAS (Environmental Management and Auditing Scheme) and ISO14001:2004 international standards.
The Eco-Schools International Programme is being implemented or is in its pilot phase in 47 delegations, (December 2008). Currently the Eco-Schools Programme has:
Students - 9.125.460
Teachers - 628.005
Schools - 32.156
Local Authorities - 5.013
See other information in the Eco-school website: http://www.eco-schools.org